We popularly hear “sacrifice” and “selflessness” described as a scale of self-destruction – that is, the most selfless person is the one who hurts himself the most, and the best sacrifice is the one that is most damaging to the one who possesses it. This is why I don’t like to use the word “sacrifice” to refer to what you describe here – it is associated far too greatly with the negative effects and is wholly separated from the values that drive our behavior.

As you so well describe, true “sacrifice” is instead concerned entirely with our own value system. We “sacrifice” things in order to attain something much more valuable to us in the future.

Because these are our own values, I believe that what you call “sacrifice” is actually an entirely selfish act – selfish in that it is defined by the self. A selfless act would by definition be something that is entirely unrelated to the self, and therefore divorced from our own value system – which is both immoral and unmanly.

I refer to the behavioral system that you describe (pursuing the greatest value) as selfish instead of using the word “sacrifice” entirely for this reason.

For example, sometimes just smart, or well timed work is enough. Take the stock market for example. I have made quite a bit of money sometimes just by happening to have a moment of insight or a thought about what might be a good investment and then walking up to my computer and pressing a few buttons. And I certainly don’t squander my earnings, regardless of how easily they some.

I would lean towards the law of sacrifice as being important to KEEP something, not necessarily get it.

I met my girlfriend by chance, and the relationship blossomed easily. So I got her easily, but keeping us happy is where the law comes into effect for both of us. But of course, all good relationships require sacrifice/compromise to be successful.

Enjoyed the article.