I do not want horses or diamonds - I am happy in possessing you.

In the world of fleeting treasures, where the pursuit of wealth and material gain often blinds the hearts of men and women, there exists a rare and profound understanding of what true riches are. The wise and beautiful Clara Schumann, famed for her music and her deep devotion to her husband, once uttered words that strike at the very heart of human longing: "I do not want horses or diamonds—I am happy in possessing you." These words, though simple, hold the weight of a thousand lifetimes of wisdom, reminding us that the greatest treasures in life are not those that glitter and fade, but those that are eternal and bound by the spirit. She speaks not of wealth, but of the true joy found in the union of hearts.

In the ancient days, wise men and women pondered the nature of true happiness. The great philosopher Aristotle spoke of eudaimonia, the concept of flourishing or living a life of virtue, of fulfillment. It was not the accumulation of wealth that led one to true happiness, he said, but the pursuit of virtue, wisdom, and a life led by authentic passions and love. Clara Schumann’s words reflect this ancient understanding, for she seeks not the glittering possessions that society often holds as the measure of success, but the presence of the one she loves. In this, she teaches us that the truest form of wealth lies not in the fleeting luxuries of this world, but in the possession of one’s heart by another.

This notion is echoed throughout the ages in the tales of great lovers, whose bonds transcended the riches of kings. Consider the tragic and beautiful story of Abelard and Héloïse, two lovers from the Middle Ages whose passion for each other was not constrained by the wealth of their families. Though their love was marred by political and religious obstacles, and their wealth was not great, it was their connection—their intellectual and emotional union—that made their love immortal. Even after they were separated, their love endured, and it is their hearts—not the jewels, nor the riches—that history remembers. Their story, like Clara Schumann's words, reveals that the deepest satisfaction comes not from possessions, but from the fulfillment found in true love.

In the presence of Clara Schumann’s message, we find a rejection of the false idols that society places before us. In her time, as in ours, the world often tells us that to be happy we must possess things—gold, diamonds, horses—symbols of status and wealth. Yet, Schumann’s words challenge us to consider that there is greater treasure to be found in simplicity and devotion. She did not wish for possessions to fill the emptiness of her heart; instead, she sought the richness of her husband’s love, the joy of being together, and the profound satisfaction of shared purpose. This is a lesson to those of us who wander in search of what we think will fulfill us: that true fulfillment comes not in external acquisitions, but in the shared experiences and emotional bonds that are the true fabric of life.

Let us reflect, then, upon the story of Helen of Troy, whose beauty was so fabled that it sparked a great war. Men fought and died over her, yet it was not the wealth or possessions they sought—it was her love that they coveted. In her case, as in the case of Schumann, the most precious thing that could be possessed was not a material object, but a human heart, and the love that flowed from it. Though Helen’s story ends in conflict, it teaches us something profound: that even in the midst of external beauty and power, the most important possession one can have is the love of another. The treasure lies not in the outer world, but in the shared union of two souls.

The lesson for us all is clear: the pursuit of wealth, in its material form, is fleeting and often hollow. Instead, we must seek to possess what is eternal—the love and devotion of those who walk with us through life. As Schumann knew, the greatest treasure is not found in diamonds, nor in the luxuries of the world, but in the depth of the connection we share with others. In love, we find a richness that cannot be measured by any scale, a wealth that transcends the material.

Thus, we are called to seek a life where love is the most treasured of all possessions. Let us not fall into the trap of thinking that what we have can define us—rather, let us define our lives by what we give to others. In this, we will find the true riches of the world. The greatest wealth lies not in the gilded and the golden, but in the heartfelt, the unseen, and the unbreakable bonds that join us together. Let us, then, seek to possess love, for in it, we find all the treasures we will ever need.