--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it…" description: "\"Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory.\" — Abraham Lincoln" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/abraham-lincoln-88_heaven_marriage-is-neither-heaven-nor-hell-it-i_2036683.png" --- # Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory. ![“Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory.” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/abraham-lincoln-88_heaven_marriage-is-neither-heaven-nor-hell-it-i_2036683.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/abraham-lincoln-88_heaven_marriage-is-neither-heaven-nor-hell-it-i_2036683.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/abraham-lincoln-88_heaven_marriage-is-neither-heaven-nor-hell-it-i_2036683.png) > “Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory.” [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes marriage as a neutral, often challenging state, neither blissful nor dreadful, but a prolonged transitional phase. **In simple terms:** Marriage is a long, neutral waiting period. Key Takeaway Accept marriage as a complex, ongoing process. Themes relationships neutrality transformation Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - long‑term partnership - conflict resolution - personal growth - family dynamics Key Concepts marriage life stages commitment Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of marriage feel like purgatory to you? - How can couples move beyond a stagnant phase? A Different Perspective The quote oversimplifies marriage, ignoring its varied emotional depths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Heaven hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-hell/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Marriage Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-heaven-632458/) [Purgatory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purgatory/) [Simply Purgatory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simply-purgatory-3768169/) ## Related quotes > [“As Blake wrote in The Marriage of Heaven and Hell: “You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-davidson/as-blake-wrote-in-the-marriage-of-heaven-and-hell-you-never-know-what/) [Andrew Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-davidson/) > [“There is no Purgatory-that's a catholic invention. There's life on earth, There's heaven-and there's hell”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/there-is-no-purgatory-that-s-a-catholic-invention-there-s-life-on/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [We absolutely believed in Heaven and Hell, Purgatory, and even Limbo. I mean, they were actually closer to us than Australia or Canada, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcgahern/we-absolutely-believed-in-heaven-and-hell-purgatory-and-even-limbo-i/) [John McGahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcgahern/) > [“Wherever you go..., you'll see Heaven and Hell on every side... in us . Look for them and you'll soon know them. There on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-quinn/wherever-you-go-you-ll-see-heaven-and-hell-on-every-side-in-us-look/) [Daniel Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-quinn/) > [“Forget heaven and hell, yaar,” he says as he leaves. “It’s purgatory I’m concerned about. We call it Earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shashi-tharoor/forget-heaven-and-hell-yaar-he-says-as-he-leaves-it-s-purgatory-i-m/) [Shashi Tharoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shashi-tharoor/) > [“You are a perfect balance of heaven and hell, a purgatory of passion and pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-katoff/you-are-a-perfect-balance-of-heaven-and-hell-a-purgatory-of-passion/) [Jessica Katoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-katoff/) > [You may never reach that glorious moment until you die, so live life on the edge halfway between heaven and hell...and let's all dance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gaga/you-may-never-reach-that-glorious-moment-until-you-die-so-live-life/) [Lady Gaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gaga/) > [ From the time of Dante \[Alighieri\], when you have the Ptolemaic universe, you had God on the outside like a hypersphere, and then in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-laffoley/from-the-time-of-dante-alighieri-when-you-have-the-ptolemaic-universe/) [Paul Laffoley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-laffoley/) > [For Jesus, heaven and hell were present realities. Ways of living we can enter into here and now. He talked very little of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/for-jesus-heaven-and-hell-were-present-realities-ways-of-living-we/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [By the skillful and sustained use of propaganda, one can make a people see even heaven as hell or an extremely wretched life as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/by-the-skillful-and-sustained-use-of-propaganda-one-can-make-a-people/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [We're in the transition between birth and death. But the one that people often know about is the transition between the moment of death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/we-re-in-the-transition-between-birth-and-death-but-the-one-that/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [Marriage may be the closest thing to Heaven or Hell any of us will know on this earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-louis-cole/marriage-may-be-the-closest-thing-to-heaven-or-hell-any-of-us-will/) [Edwin Louis Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-louis-cole/) > [There is no God. There's no heaven. There's no hell. There are no angels. When you die, you go in the ground, the worms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madalyn-murray-o-hair/there-is-no-god-there-s-no-heaven-there-s-no-hell-there-are-no-angels/) [Madalyn Murray O'Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madalyn-murray-o-hair/) > [“There is no heaven or hell. No matter what you do while you're alive, everybody goes to the same place once you die. Death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsugumi-ohba/there-is-no-heaven-or-hell-no-matter-what-you-do-while-you-re-alive/) [Tsugumi Ohba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsugumi-ohba/) > [The self is like a baseball. Throw it back to the divine pitcher who pitched it to you in the first place, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/the-self-is-like-a-baseball-throw-it-back-to-the-divine-pitcher-who/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) ## More by Abraham Lincoln > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-wish-to-be-a-lawyer-attach-no-consequence-to-the-place-you-are/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tell-the-truth-and-you-won-t-have-so-much-to-remember/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [With high hope for the future, no prediction is ventured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/with-high-hope-for-the-future-no-prediction-is-ventured/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We know, Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired laborers amongst us. How little they know, whereof they speak! There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-know-southern-men-declare-that-their-slaves-are-better-off-than/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I am glad to see that a system of labor prevails under which laborers can strike when they want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-glad-to-see-that-a-system-of-labor-prevails-under-which-laborers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-don-t-like-that-man-i-must-get-to-know-him-better/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-this-sad-world-of-ours-sorrow-comes-to-all-and-to-the-young-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-man-does-not-live-who-is-more-devoted-to-peace-than-i-am-none-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Explore all 1,437 Abraham Lincoln quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More Heaven quotes > [Heaven lies around us in our infancy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-golding/heaven-lies-around-us-in-our-infancy/) [William Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-golding/) > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/the-more-perfect-the-sight-is-the-more-delightful-the-beautiful/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I believe that on any trip to heaven, there are always detours through hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-finney/i-believe-that-on-any-trip-to-heaven-there-are-always-detours-through/) [Richard Finney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-finney/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/every-saved-person-this-side-of-heaven-owes-the-gospel-to-every-lost/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [I wonder: when a Jehovah's Witness dies and goes to Heaven, does God hide behind the door and pretend He's not home?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-celio/i-wonder-when-a-jehovah-s-witness-dies-and-goes-to-heaven-does-god/) [Brian Celio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-celio/) > [By the time you have no difficulties in your life, you have achieved Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-brown/by-the-time-you-have-no-difficulties-in-your-life-you-have-achieved/) [Charles Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-brown/) > [I'm what is known as gradually disintegrating. I don't fear the next world, or anything. I don't fear hell, and I don't look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hepburn/i-m-what-is-known-as-gradually-disintegrating-i-don-t-fear-the-next/) [Katharine Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hepburn/) > [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [I do not want a kingdom, or heaven; what I want is to remove the trouble of the oppressed, the poor, and the needy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-a-kingdom-or-heaven-what-i-want-is-to-remove-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“God is the highest good of the reasonable creature, and the enjoyment of him is the only happiness with which our souls can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/god-is-the-highest-good-of-the-reasonable-creature-and-the-enjoyment/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [“The Creator sat upon the throne, thinking. Behind him stretched the illimitable continent of heaven, steeped in a glory of light and color; before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-creator-sat-upon-the-throne-thinking-behind-him-stretched-the/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) [Browse all 9,540 Heaven quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Abraham Lincoln" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/marriage-is-neither-heaven-nor-hell-it-is-simply-purgatory/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Heaven" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/marriage-is-neither-heaven-nor-hell-it-is-simply-purgatory/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/abraham-lincoln-88_heaven_marriage-is-neither-heaven-nor-hell-it-i_2036683.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/abraham-lincoln-88_heaven_marriage-is-neither-heaven-nor-hell-it-i_2036683.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/abraham-lincoln-88_heaven_marriage-is-neither-heaven-nor-hell-it-i_2036683.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory.” — Abraham Lincoln", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Abraham Lincoln", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Marriage is neither heaven nor hell,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/marriage-is-neither-heaven-nor-hell-it-is-simply-purgatory/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/marriage-is-neither-heaven-nor-hell-it-is-simply-purgatory/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```