This is a very direct and perhaps slightly cynical definition of sacrifice, framing it purely in terms of cost/benefit analysis. It strips away the purely altruistic or romanticized notions and grounds the action in self-interest, whether that interest is immediate (self-sacrifice for personal growth) or delayed/indirect (suffering now for a future gain or for the well-being of a loved one).
The key takeaway here is that all sacrifice involves a cost, even when the benefit is noble. Recognizing this helps us weigh decisions more carefully: is the potential gain truly worth the immediate suffering or loss?
How does this definition of sacrifice change the way you view your own commitments?