--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nothing whatsoever is worth the cost of a…" description: "\"Nothing whatsoever is worth the cost of a contracted heart.\" — Gil Fronsdal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/gil-fronsdal-26078_cost_nothing-whatsoever-is-worth-the-cost-of_92990.png" --- # Nothing whatsoever is worth the cost of a contracted heart. ![“Nothing whatsoever is worth the cost of a contracted heart.” quote by Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/gil-fronsdal-26078_cost_nothing-whatsoever-is-worth-the-cost-of_92990.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/gil-fronsdal-26078_cost_nothing-whatsoever-is-worth-the-cost-of_92990.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/gil-fronsdal-26078_cost_nothing-whatsoever-is-worth-the-cost-of_92990.png) > “Nothing whatsoever is worth the cost of a contracted heart.” [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A contracted heart—one that is bound by obligations or expectations—costs more than any benefit it might bring. **In simple terms:** Beware of binding commitments. Key Takeaway Freedom outweighs forced affection. Themes autonomy relationships value cost commitment Mood reflective cautious Type aphor advice When to use this quote - marriage negotiations - business partnerships - family expectations Key Concepts personal liberty emotional health Practical Applications - relationship counseling - contract review Questions to Reflect On - What obligations are you maintaining out of duty? - How might you reclaim autonomy? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [We face the question whether a still higher "standard of living" is worth its cost in things natural, wild, and free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldo-leopold/we-face-the-question-whether-a-still-higher-standard-of-living-is/) [Aldo Leopold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldo-leopold/) > [to travel is worth any cost or sacrifice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/to-travel-is-worth-any-cost-or-sacrifice/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [“I know how many lives any move of mine will cost; and if the move is worth the cost I make it and pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/i-know-how-many-lives-any-move-of-mine-will-cost-and-if-the-move-is/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [When the effort fails, is it worth the cost?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/when-the-effort-fails-is-it-worth-the-cost/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“I understand perfectly. But no vendetta is worth the cost of what you’re asking me to do.” The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-ni-coileain/i-understand-perfectly-but-no-vendetta-is-worth-the-cost-of-what-you/) [Rory Ni Coileain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-ni-coileain/) > [“Of course, all knowledge is useful. But not all knowledge is worth the cost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-harper/of-course-all-knowledge-is-useful-but-not-all-knowledge-is-worth-the/) [Suzanne Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-harper/) > [I am not convinced that either the position, rewards or achievements have been worth the cost. My personal and married life and child raising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-simpson/i-am-not-convinced-that-either-the-position-rewards-or-achievements/) Joanne Simpson > [Some things are worth the cost of their consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/some-things-are-worth-the-cost-of-their-consequences/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [Weighing benefits against costs is the way most people make decisions - and the way most businesses make decisions, if they want to stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/weighing-benefits-against-costs-is-the-way-most-people-make-decisions/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Good words are worth much, and cost little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/good-words-are-worth-much-and-cost-little/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [ \[Photography is \] likewise even French impressionists. So the Sculls bought pop. It was politics, and they moved with it. And I think that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-winogrand/photography-is-likewise-even-french-impressionists-so-the-sculls/) [Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-winogrand/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) Jessica Yu > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [I would borrow money all day long, if the cost of borrowing is less than the expected return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/i-would-borrow-money-all-day-long-if-the-cost-of-borrowing-is-less/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## More by Gil Fronsdal > [If you want to attain peace, live peacefully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/if-you-want-to-attain-peace-live-peacefully/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [Generosity is not limited to the giving of material things. We can be generous with our kindness and receptivity. Generosity can mean the simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/generosity-is-not-limited-to-the-giving-of-material-things-we-can-be/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [Buddhism’s cardinal ethical principle is to avoid causing harm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/buddhism-s-cardinal-ethical-principle-is-to-avoid-causing-harm/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [You don't have to be equal, you don't have to be better, you don't have to be worse. You can just be at peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/you-don-t-have-to-be-equal-you-don-t-have-to-be-better-you-don-t-have/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [Repetition and ritual and their good results come in many forms: changing the oil filter, wiping noses, going to meetings, picking up around the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/repetition-and-ritual-and-their-good-results-come-in-many-forms/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [“The wise Protect vigilance as the greatest treasure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/the-wise-protect-vigilance-as-the-greatest-treasure/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [Who are you in the silence between your thoughts?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/who-are-you-in-the-silence-between-your-thoughts/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [“Vigilant and absorbed in meditation One attains abundant happiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/vigilant-and-absorbed-in-meditation-one-attains-abundant-happiness/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [Once you know your deepest wish you can base your life on intention rather than craving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/once-you-know-your-deepest-wish-you-can-base-your-life-on-intention/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [“One who does evil is tormented in this life, Tormented in the next, Is tormented in both worlds. Here he is tormented, knowing, “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/one-who-does-evil-is-tormented-in-this-life-tormented-in-the-next-is/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [Mindfulness, by helping us notice our impulses before we act, gives us the opportunity to decide whether to act and how to act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/mindfulness-by-helping-us-notice-our-impulses-before-we-act-gives-us/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [People who do not see their choices do not believe they have choices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/people-who-do-not-see-their-choices-do-not-believe-they-have-choices/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [Freedom from clinging gives room in our hearts to grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/freedom-from-clinging-gives-room-in-our-hearts-to-grow/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [It can be easy to love all beings from a distance; it can be a great challenge when we have to live with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/it-can-be-easy-to-love-all-beings-from-a-distance-it-can-be-a-great/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) > [Freedom from clinging allows us bring love into all aspects of our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/freedom-from-clinging-allows-us-bring-love-into-all-aspects-of-our/) [Gil Fronsdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) [Explore all 22 Gil Fronsdal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/) ## More Cost quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I would borrow money all day long, if the cost of borrowing is less than the expected return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/i-would-borrow-money-all-day-long-if-the-cost-of-borrowing-is-less/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) Jessica Yu > [ \[Photography is \] likewise even French impressionists. So the Sculls bought pop. It was politics, and they moved with it. And I think that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-winogrand/photography-is-likewise-even-french-impressionists-so-the-sculls/) [Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-winogrand/) > [What has drug addiction done for me? It's cost me my career, my fortune and basically my sex life when I found out I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbin-crosby/what-has-drug-addiction-done-for-me-it-s-cost-me-my-career-my-fortune/) Robbin Crosby > [I agreed a long time ago, I would not live at any cost. If I am moved or forced away from what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-agreed-a-long-time-ago-i-would-not-live-at-any-cost-if-i-am-moved/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I believe that government is too large, costs too much, spends too much, and has too much regulatory power in our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-walberg/i-believe-that-government-is-too-large-costs-too-much-spends-too-much/) [Tim Walberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-walberg/) > [One reason for the tremendous increase in health-care costs in the U.S. is managerial neglect of the "hotel services" by the people who dominate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/one-reason-for-the-tremendous-increase-in-health-care-costs-in-the-u/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [They brought on someone who cost more than our stadium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-rodgers/they-brought-on-someone-who-cost-more-than-our-stadium/) [Brendan Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-rodgers/) > [When the government pays, health care's lack of affordability becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. In health care, as in other things, government is the high-cost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-kling/when-the-government-pays-health-care-s-lack-of-affordability-becomes/) [Arnold Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-kling/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [First impressions are often the truest, as we find (not infrequently) to our cost, when we have been wheedled out of them by plausible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/first-impressions-are-often-the-truest-as-we-find-not-infrequently-to/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [The term 'cost shifting,' as I use it, refers to those items in a university's budget that used to be reimbursed by the federal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-term-cost-shifting-as-i-use-it-refers-to-those-items-in-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Beauty's a doubtful good, a glass, a flower, Lost, faded, broken, dead within an hour; And beauty, blemish'd once, for ever's lost, In spite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/beauty-s-a-doubtful-good-a-glass-a-flower-lost-faded-broken-dead/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) Browse all 3,987 Cost quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Nothing whatsoever is worth the cost of a contracted heart.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gil Fronsdal" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/nothing-whatsoever-is-worth-the-cost-of-a-contracted-heart/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cost" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/nothing-whatsoever-is-worth-the-cost-of-a-contracted-heart/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/gil-fronsdal-26078_cost_nothing-whatsoever-is-worth-the-cost-of_92990.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/gil-fronsdal-26078_cost_nothing-whatsoever-is-worth-the-cost-of_92990.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/gil-fronsdal-26078_cost_nothing-whatsoever-is-worth-the-cost-of_92990.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Nothing whatsoever is worth the cost of a contracted heart.” — Gil Fronsdal", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gil Fronsdal", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-fronsdal/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Nothing whatsoever is worth the cost...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/nothing-whatsoever-is-worth-the-cost-of-a-contracted-heart/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-fronsdal/nothing-whatsoever-is-worth-the-cost-of-a-contracted-heart/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```