I definitely don't think that money can buy you love. It can buy you affection but certainly not love. — George Best

I definitely don't think that money can buy you love. It can buy you affection but certainly not love.

Author: George Best

Insight: We're so used to hearing that money can't buy happiness that the real insight here gets overlooked. Best isn't just repeating the obvious—he's pointing out something more unsettling: money is actually really good at faking love. It can create the appearance and even some of the feelings. You can buy time with someone, experiences together, comfort, attention. For a while, that might feel indistinguishable from the real thing. The catch is that affection bought through resources is conditional in a way genuine love isn't. The moment the money stops flowing, so does the warmth. This matters today because we live in an economy that constantly whispers you can purchase connection—dating apps that work better if you upgrade, lifestyles that promise popularity, even therapy available to those who can afford it. There's nothing wrong with any of that, but it's worth recognizing the difference between renting someone's presence and being chosen anyway. Maybe the loneliest people aren't those without money but those who suspect their company only shows up when the bill gets paid. Real love, the kind that sticks around when things get harder, requires something money genuinely can't touch.