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Whoever marries simply for himself will make a mistake…

“Whoever marries simply for himself will make a mistake; but whoever loves a woman so well that he says, 'I will make her happy,' makes no mistake. And so with the woman who says, 'I will make him happy.'” quote by Robert Green Ingersoll
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“Whoever marries simply for himself will make a mistake; but whoever loves a woman so well that he says, 'I will make her happy,' makes no mistake. And so with the woman who says, 'I will make him happy.'”

Robert Green Ingersoll

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

True love seeks mutual happiness; marrying for selfish reasons leads to error, while loving selflessly and wishing happiness for the partner is wise.

In simple terms: Love should be selfless, not self‑serving.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize mutual joy over personal gain.

Themes

love marriage selflessness mutual happiness

Mood

thoughtful optimistic practical

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • dating
  • marriage counseling
  • relationship building
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

ethics relationship dynamics altruism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does selfless love look like in daily life?
  • How can couples avoid selfish expectations?
A Different Perspective

Self‑focused love can still cause resentment if expectations aren’t realistic.

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