The quote from "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes highlights the deep sense of emptiness and lack of fulfillment experienced by a knight who does not possess love. It draws a poignant comparison between a knight devoid of love and a lifeless tree that bears no leaves or fruit, emphasizing that love is essential for a complete and vibrant existence.
This metaphor suggests that just as a tree requires its leaves and fruit to thrive and contribute to the ecosystem, a person's existence lacks purpose and vitality without love. The imagery of a body without a soul further reinforces the idea that love is fundamental to one's identity and essence, indicating that an unloving life is akin to a soulless existence.