The quote from Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" suggests that love, much like an empire, is built on foundational ideas or beliefs. When these core principles begin to deteriorate, the love itself is likely to diminish. This analogy highlights the transient nature of love, implying that its strength is directly tied to the stability of the ideas that support it.

This comparison between love and empires underscores the fragility of emotional connections. Just as empires can rise and fall due to various factors, relationships can face challenges that threaten their existence. The essence of true love, therefore, may depend on resilience and the capacity to adapt to changes in belief or circumstance.