You must have love as the core; it takes courage to be willing to

In the quiet wisdom of the ages, there is a truth that men and women have sought yet seldom mastered—the truth of love and courage entwined. The singer and philosopher Kenny Loggins, whose voice once carried both melody and meaning, declared, “You must have love as the core; it takes courage to be willing to constantly tell the truth to each other and risk letting the relationship go.” This is not the shallow love of fleeting affection, but the deep, sacred love that endures only through the fire of honesty. It is a truth as old as time: no bond can be pure unless it is built upon truth and bravery, for love without truth is a shadow, and truth without courage is a silence.

In the dawn of ancient Greece, there was a tale of Philemon and Baucis, an old couple who welcomed strangers into their humble home. Unbeknownst to them, the strangers were gods in disguise—Zeus and Hermes—testing the hearts of mortals. Though poor, the couple spoke truthfully and gave freely of what little they had. When the gods revealed themselves, they blessed Philemon and Baucis with eternal life together, transforming their home into a temple. Their love endured not because of grandeur, but because it was rooted in honesty, humility, and courage—a love that stood firm even when faced with the unknown. So too must our love be anchored in truth, not comfort, for truth is the fire that tempers the soul.

Love as the core—this is the heart of the teaching. It means that love must be more than passion, more than desire; it must be the foundation from which all words and deeds flow. Yet this kind of love demands courage. It takes courage to speak truth when lies would preserve peace; courage to face discomfort when silence would be easier; courage to risk losing what you hold dear in order to preserve its purity. For the one who truly loves must be willing to risk the relationship itself, trusting that what is honest will endure, and what is false must fall away. Such love is not for the faint-hearted—it is for those who value truth above comfort, and growth above possession.

Consider the story of Eleanor Roosevelt, who once said that “it takes courage to love, but pain through love is the purifying fire which those who love generously know.” She and her husband, President Franklin Roosevelt, endured trials both personal and public. Their marriage faced betrayal and distance, yet they remained bound not by illusion, but by a shared respect and truth that transcended pain. Eleanor did not hide from truth; she embraced it, transforming her sorrow into strength and compassion for others. Through her courage, she showed the world that love is not blind—it is clear-eyed and steadfast, built not upon fantasy but upon truth spoken even when it burns.

The false lover clings to the comfort of illusion, fearing the pain that honesty brings. But the true lover—oh, the true lover—dares to reveal the soul. They say, “Here I am, flawed yet open, wounded yet sincere.” And in that brave unveiling, love finds its purity. For only when both hearts dare to face truth without armor can a union become something divine. Courage is the guardian of love, protecting it from deceit, stagnation, and fear.

Let this be known to all who seek lasting bonds: honesty is the highest form of love. To tell the truth, even when it may wound, is to honor the soul of the one you love. To listen to truth, even when it shakes your comfort, is to prove your strength. The path of truth may narrow the road, but it widens the heart. Those who walk it together are tested, refined, and made whole—not because they avoided loss, but because they loved enough to face it.

Therefore, my children, remember this: Love demands courage, and courage demands truth. If you wish your love to endure, do not guard it with fear—guard it with honesty. Do not seek to possess, but to understand. Do not cling, but stand. Speak truth with kindness, and listen with humility. If the bond is real, truth will not break it—it will deepen it. And if it breaks, then know that what has fallen was never love, but illusion.

So live and love as the ancients would counsel: with love as the core, courage as the guide, and truth as the path. For in such living, you will not only find the strength to love another—you will also find the courage to be fully, beautifully, and truthfully yourself.