It’s a lesson in the inevitable consequences of loving something fiercely, be that your own intellect, your spouse, or a child. You may lose any of these things before you die, and the pain will probably be proportional to the love you felt. I don’t think that’s a lesson in why not to allow yourself to love that way at all.

There may be mental pathways that allow for love without attachment. I personally don’t see them yet; perhaps I need to learn more about Zen or Daoism or something. In my unenlightened state, the only way I see to avoid the pain of loss is avoiding love in the first place, which doesn’t look like a good idea.