I think that anyone who lives in New York, who's lived here

The words of Spike Lee—“I think that anyone who lives in New York, who's lived here, who's spent any time here, knows that it's basically a love-hate relationship, you might say. Even though I still think it's the greatest city in the world and I wouldn't live anywhere else, there're still things about it one doesn't like. The love far outweighs the negative.”—speak to the paradox of belonging, the tension between hardship and devotion that binds a soul to a place. He reveals what the ancients long understood: that true love is not the absence of flaws, but the embrace of beauty even amidst difficulty. In his words, New York becomes not only a city of stone and steel, but a living force, capable of both wounding and inspiring those who dwell within it.

When he calls it a “love-hate relationship,” Lee acknowledges the contradictions of life in great cities—or indeed, in any deep commitment. To love a place is to also suffer its noise, its chaos, its sharp edges. The ancients knew this with Athens, a city of brilliance and discord, whose democracy birthed both wisdom and strife. To remain bound to such a place is not blindness to its flaws, but recognition that its gifts outshine its pains. Thus, Lee’s words echo across centuries: the beloved is never perfect, but the love itself outweighs all imperfections.

His claim that New York is still “the greatest city in the world” despite its flaws is a declaration of loyalty. It is the loyalty of one who has tested both light and shadow and still chooses to stay. Just as Romans endured the corruption and clamor of their empire because they knew it was also the heart of power, art, and destiny, so too does Lee exalt New York: a city that may overwhelm, but also a city that elevates, ignites, and transforms. In this paradox lies the essence of human devotion—not choosing the perfect, but choosing and remaining steadfast despite imperfection.

History itself offers vivid parallels. Consider Paris after the Revolution, scarred by blood, yet still beloved by its poets and artists who called it “the city of light.” Or consider Jerusalem, a place fought over, torn by faith and fire, yet revered as holy, cherished by millions across centuries. These cities, like New York, inspire a love that survives hardship, because their spirit transcends their flaws. Lee, like those ancients, teaches us that greatness is not the absence of struggle but the triumph of meaning over imperfection.

The meaning of his words is profound: to love truly—whether it be a city, a person, or a calling—is to accept contradiction. There will always be trials, annoyances, even suffering. Yet the heart that sees the whole picture—the beauty, the opportunity, the energy, the inspiration—will remain. In truth, it is often the challenges themselves that forge the depth of affection. The storms of winter make the warmth of spring more beloved; the chaos of the streets makes the moments of stillness more cherished.

For us, the lesson is simple and eternal: embrace the paradoxes of life. Do not flee from what is difficult simply because it is not perfect. Whether it be your home, your work, or your relationships, know that love is tested in imperfection and proven in endurance. Like Spike Lee with New York, let your devotion not be blind, but clear-eyed, recognizing the flaws yet treasuring the gifts all the more.

The practical action is this: reflect upon the places and people you call your own. Instead of asking whether they are flawless, ask whether the love outweighs the burden. If it does, then endure the flaws and cherish the gifts, for that is true belonging. Speak honestly of the imperfections, yet hold fast to your loyalty, knowing that nothing great in life comes without struggle.

Thus let this wisdom be carried forward: love is not the denial of flaws, but the triumph of devotion over them. New York, in Spike Lee’s words, is a symbol of this truth—a city of contradictions, yet a city beloved. So too must we embrace the paradoxes in our own lives, knowing that it is the balance of light and shadow that makes any love worth keeping.