Love is by definition an unmerited gift; being loved without meriting it is the very proof of real love. If a woman tells me: I love you because you're intelligent, because you're decent, because you buy me gifts, because you don't chase women, because you do the dishes, then I'm disappointed; such love seems a rather self-interested business. How much finer it is to hear: I'm crazy about you even though you're neither intelligent nor decent, even though you're a liar, an egotist, a bastard.
In this passage, Kundera explores the true nature of love as an unconditional gift rather than a transactional relationship based on merits. He emphasizes that love should transcend personal attributes and behaviors, suggesting that genuine affection is not contingent on the recipient's worthiness. When love is expressed with conditions, it diminishes its authenticity and sincerity.
Kundera contrasts superficial love, where affection is based on specific qualities like intelligence or kindness, with...
