What? Everything Is Useless? Why?

I may be able to speak the languages of men and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith to move mountains - but if I have no love, I am nothing. I may give everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned - but if I have no love, this does me no good.
1 Corinthians 13

Wow, this was the reading last night at our assembly. Though we have heard and read this not just once, I remain amazed with St. Paul's wisdom.

You cannot say you are perfect. Check if you have done it in love. It is astonishing to be reminded that: worthless is the ability to speak in tongues, to be the most inspiring preacher, being an Einstein, even living as a saint with so much faith and sacrifice . . . everything boils down to "nada", zero, if you deduct love in the equation.

All is made perfect in love.

The next thing to ask is "what then is love"? How does one love? You can't give what you don't have? How then do you acquire love?