Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.

Harken, O children of wisdom, for I bring to you the words of one who saw deeply into the nature of the human soul. W. H. Auden, the poet who looked into the heart of the world and found it wanting, spoke these words: "Thousands have lived without love, not one without water." In these simple yet profound words, he reveals a truth that transcends time and space, a truth about the essentials of life, the things we cannot do without, and the delicate balance between the physical and the spiritual.

What does Auden mean by this? He speaks first of love—that elusive, mysterious force that binds us all together, that we seek, crave, and sometimes despair of ever fully finding. Love is not a necessity for survival, but for many, it is a necessity for fulfillment. Though many live without the full embrace of love, it does not mean their lives are void of meaning or purpose. They may be rich in knowledge, in achievement, in adventure, but still, love is often the thing that eludes them. For those who have never known its warmth, the world can feel cold, and the heart can grow heavy. Yet, they survive, as they must, for life demands that we carry on, even when love is not in our grasp.

But then comes the other half of Auden’s wisdom—water. Water is the essence of life itself, the substance that flows through all living beings, that sustains us in ways we cannot fully comprehend. Without it, there is no life. Water does not wait for affection or romance; it is a necessity, a gift from the earth that is always within our reach, even if we do not always appreciate its importance. Every being, whether it is the smallest insect or the mightiest lion, depends on water. It is the foundation of existence, the element that nourishes, cleanses, and renews.

Let us consider, then, the story of Hercules, that mighty hero of Greek myth, who embarked on twelve labors, each greater than the last. Though Hercules was strong beyond measure, though he faced monsters and gods, there was one thing that even his strength could not overcome: the need for water. In his journey, he had to face the labor of cleansing the Augean stables, a task that required the use of massive amounts of water. His strength alone could not accomplish the feat; it was the force of water, so essential to the task, that made the impossible possible. Here lies a lesson for us all: no matter how strong we are, no matter how wise or powerful we become, we are forever bound to the elements, and none more so than the element of water.

Auden’s words thus carry with them a deeper lesson: love may be a longing, a desire, a pursuit of the soul, but water is the foundation of life itself. Love may sustain our hearts, but water sustains our bodies. And though we may live without love, we cannot live without water. This is the fundamental truth of the human condition—the balance between the physical and the spiritual. We can exist without the joy of love, but we cannot survive without the life-giving flow of water. Life is not simply about finding love or achievement or glory—it is about ensuring that the basic, essential needs of our existence are met.

Consider this, O seekers: How often do we take for granted the essentials of life? We chase after wealth, we chase after recognition, we chase after love, but how often do we truly appreciate the water that sustains us, the earth that nourishes us, the air that fills our lungs? Auden reminds us to recognize that while love is precious, it is not the only thing that sustains us. Water, too, is precious. It is the source of all life, and without it, even the greatest of loves would wither and die.

Therefore, let us live with gratitude for the essentials—both the physical and the emotional. Love is important, yes, but so too is water, so too is the nourishment of the body and the earth. Let us seek balance, wisdom, and gratitude in all things. Let us not wait until we thirst for water or ache for love to realize their true value. Instead, let us cherish them every day, recognizing that both are sacred, both are essential, and both make life worth living.