כָּל אַהֲבָה שֶׁהִיא תְלוּיָה בְדָבָר, בָּטֵל דָּבָר, בְּטֵלָה אַהֲבָה. וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ תְּלוּיָה בְדָבָר, אֵינָהּ בְּטֵלָה לְעוֹלָם. אֵיזוֹ הִיא אַהֲבָה הַתְּלוּיָה בְדָבָר, זוֹ אַהֲבַת אַמְנוֹן וְתָמָר. וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ תְּלוּיָה בְדָבָר, זוֹ אַהֲבַת דָּוִד וִיהוֹנָתָן:
All love which is contingent upon a passing thing — once the thing passes, the love passes; and (all love) which is not contingent upon a passing thing [like the love of tzaddikim and sages] never passes. What is love that is contingent upon a passing thing? The level of Amnon and Tamar, [Amnon loving Tamar because of her beauty]. And (what is love) that is not contingent upon a passing thing? The love of David and Jonathan [to fulfill the will of their Master. Jonathan said to David (I Samuel 23:17): "You be the king over Israel and I will be your viceroy."]