For it is mutual trust, even more than mutual interest that holds human associations together. Our friends seldom profit us but they make us feel safe. Marriage is a scheme to accomplish exactly that same end.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
The institution of marriage in all societies is a pattern within which the strains put by civilization on males and females alike must be resolved, a pattern within which men must learn, in return for a variety of elaborate rewards, new forms in which sexual spontaneity is still possible, and women must learn to discipline their receptivity to a thousand other considerations.
—Margaret Mead (1901–78) American Anthropologist, Social Psychologist
Marriage has in it less of beauty, but more of safety, than the single life; it hath not more ease, but less danger; it is more merry and more sad; it is fuller of sorrows and fuller of joys; it lies under more burdens, but is supported by all the strengths of love and charity; and those burdens are delightful. Marriage is the mother of the world, and preserves kingdoms, and fills cities and churches, and heaven itself.
—Jeremy Taylor
Rituals are important. Nowadays it’s hip not to be married. I’m not interested in being hip.
—John Lennon (1940–80) British Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Activist
Inertia accounts for two-thirds of marriages. But love accounts for the other third.
—Woody Allen (b.1935) American Film Actor, Director
In America a woman loses her independence for ever in the bonds of matrimony. While there is less constraint on girls there than anywhere else, a wife submits to stricter obligations. For the former, her father’s house is a home of freedom and pleasure; for the latter, her husband’s is almost a cloister.
—Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–59) French Historian, Political Scientist
Adam knew Eve his wife and she conceived. It is a pity that this is still the only knowledge of their wives at which some men seem to arrive.
—F. H. Bradley (1846–1924 ) British Idealist Philosopher
Early marriages are permanent moralities; deferred marriages are temptations to wickedness.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
A woman who has not been twice married cannot know what a perfect marriage is.
—African Proverb
This comes of James teaching me to think for myself, and never to hold back out of fear of what other people may think of me. It works beautifully as long as I think the same things as he does.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
The best friend is likely to acquire the best wife, because a good marriage is based on the talent for friendship.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
There is radicalism in all getting and conservatism in all keeping. Lovemaking is radical, while marriage is conservative.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
The horror of wedlock, the most appalling, the most loathsome of all the bonds humankind has devised for its own discomfort and degradation.
—Marquis de Sade (1740–1814) French Political leader, Revolutionary, Novelist, Poet, Critic
Deceive not thyself by over-expecting happiness in the married estate. Remember the nightingales which sing only some months in the spring, but commonly are silent when they have hatched their eggs, as if their mirth were turned into care for their young ones.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Marriage is the death of hope.
—Woody Allen (b.1935) American Film Actor, Director
In marriage do thou be wise: prefer the person before money, virtue before beauty, the mind before the body; then thou hast a wife, a friend, a companion, a second self.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
Well married a person has wings, poorly married shackles.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Many a promising career has been wrecked by marrying the wrong sort of woman. The right sort of woman can distinguish between Creative Lassitude and plain shiftlessness.
—Robertson Davies (1913–95) Canadian Novelist, Playwright, Essayist
Do you think your mother and I should have lived comfortably so long together, if ever we had been married? Baggage!
—John Gay (1685–1732) English Poet, Dramatist
Marriage is not a simple love affair, it’s an ordeal, and the ordeal is the sacrifice of ego to a relationship in which two have become one
—Joseph Campbell (1904–87) American Mythologist, Writer, Lecturer
All tragedies are finished by a death,
All comedies are ended by a marriage;
The future states of both are left to faith,
For authors fear description might disparage
The worlds to come of both… .
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Marriage is the strictest tie of perpetual friendship, and there can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity, and he must expect to be wretched, who pays to beauty, riches, or politeness that regard which only virtue and piety can claim.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
In all of the wedding cake, hope is the sweetest of plums.
—Douglas William Jerrold (1803–57) English Writer, Dramatist, Wit
A woman asking “Am I good? Am I satisfied?” is extremely selfish. The less women fuss about themselves, the less they talk to other women, the more they try to please their husbands, the happier the marriage is going to be.
—Barbara Cartland (1901–2000) English Popular Romantic Novelist
Many a man in love with a dimple makes the mistake of marrying the whole girl.
—Stephen Leacock (1869–1944) Canadian Political Scientist, Humorist
It’s my old girl that advises. She has the head. But I never own to it before her. Discipline must be maintained.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
In the opinion of the world marriage ends all, as it does in a comedy.—The truth is precisely the reverse; it begins all.
—Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857) Russian Mystic, Writer
The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It’s a choice you make—not just on your wedding day, but over and over again—and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.
—Barbara De Angelis (b.1951) American Self-Help Author
Three things drive a man outdoors; smoke, a leaking roof and a scolding wife.
—Common Proverb
The bloom or blight of all men’s happiness.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet