Marriage [is] not just a bond between two people but a…
![“Marriage [is] not just a bond between two people but a bond between those two people and their forebears, their children, and their neighbors... Lovers must not . . . live for themselves alone. . . . They say their vows to the community as much as to one another, and the community gathers around…” quote by Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/7b3/wendell-berry-236_children_marriage-is-not-just-a-bond-between-two_2572658.jpg)
““Marriage [is] not just a bond between two people but a bond between those two people and their forebears, their children, and their neighbors... Lovers must not . . . live for themselves alone. . . . They say their vows to the community as much as to one another, and the community gathers around them to hear and to wish them well, on their behalf and on its own. It gathers around them because it understands how necessary, how joyful, and how fearful this joining is. These lovers . . . are giving themselves away, and they are joined by this as no law or contract could ever join them. Lovers, then, 'die' into their union with one another as a soul 'dies' into its union with God. . . . If the community cannot protect this giving, it can protect nothing. . . . It is the fundamental connection without which nothing holds, and trust is its necessity.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Marriage extends beyond two individuals, linking families, ancestors, and the wider community, creating a shared responsibility and trust that sustains society.
In simple terms: Marriage ties families and community together.
Key Takeaway
Nurture communal bonds and protect shared values.
Themes
community
family
trust
responsibility
love
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- weddings
- family gatherings
- community building
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
social contract
intergenerational connection
collective identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we strengthen community support for couples?
- What responsibilities do neighbors have in marital success?
A Different Perspective
Communities may struggle to uphold these ideals amid individualism.