--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A wedding is a ceremony at which two…" description: "\"A wedding is a ceremony at which two persons undertake to become one, one undertakes to become nothing, and nothing undertakes to become supportable.\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/ambrose-bierce-140_ceremony_a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-at-which-two-per_2548443.jpg" --- # A wedding is a ceremony at which two persons undertake to… ![“A wedding is a ceremony at which two persons undertake to become one, one undertakes to become nothing, and nothing undertakes to become supportable.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/ambrose-bierce-140_ceremony_a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-at-which-two-per_2548443.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/ambrose-bierce-140_ceremony_a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-at-which-two-per_2548443.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/ambrose-bierce-140_ceremony_a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-at-which-two-per_2548443.jpg) > “A wedding is a ceremony at which two persons undertake to become one, one undertakes to become nothing, and nothing undertakes to become supportable.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A marriage merges identities, demanding self‑sacrifice and mutual support, while also confronting the loss of individual autonomy. **In simple terms:** Marriage blends selves, requires sacrifice and support. Key Takeaway Embrace partnership, balance self and other. Themes marriage identity self‑sacrifice mutual support Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - wedding planning - relationship counseling - family dynamics - legal union Key Concepts existentialism social contract psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain individuality in a partnership? - What support do you need to feel secure? A Different Perspective Idealized view may ignore power imbalances and personal boundaries. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ceremony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceremony/) [Ceremony Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceremony-persons-1497566/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Persons Undertake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons-undertake-1497567/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Wedding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wedding/) [Wedding ceremony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wedding-ceremony/) ## Related quotes > [A legal or religious ceremony by which two persons of the opposite sex solemnly agree to harass and spy on each other... until death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/a-legal-or-religious-ceremony-by-which-two-persons-of-the-opposite/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [“A wedding is a ceremony men fund with money they know they don’t have … to prove the love they think they have.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-men-fund-with-money-they-know-they-don-t-have/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [(When asked merely if they accept evolution, 45 percent of Americans say yes. The figure is 70 percent in China.) When the movie Jurassic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/when-asked-merely-if-they-accept-evolution-45-percent-of-americans/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [I think it is wrong for the federal government to force Christian individuals, businesses, pastors, churches to participate in wedding ceremonies that violate our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-jindal/i-think-it-is-wrong-for-the-federal-government-to-force-christian/) [Bobby Jindal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-jindal/) > [Even under the best circumstances, speaking at your own wedding ceremony is a high pressure endeavor. What even constitutes a vow? I always picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gondelman/even-under-the-best-circumstances-speaking-at-your-own-wedding/) [Josh Gondelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gondelman/) > [“Reuben says in many cultures, the wedding ceremony and all of it's rituals are much the same as a funeral: a transition into another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-finnamore/reuben-says-in-many-cultures-the-wedding-ceremony-and-all-of-it-s/) [Suzanne Finnamore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-finnamore/) > [Instead of reading vows at the wedding ceremony, they read hacked Sony emails.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/instead-of-reading-vows-at-the-wedding-ceremony-they-read-hacked-sony/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [“Saul tapped his wife's obstinate chin. "Mrs. Benedict, you certainly are. You promised to obey." "That was thirty years ago! Before the wedding ceremony…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-stirling/saul-tapped-his-wife-s-obstinate-chin-mrs-benedict-you-certainly-are/) [Joss Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-stirling/) > [A wedding was a strange ceremony, she thought, with all those formal words, those solemn vows made by one to another; whereas the real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/a-wedding-was-a-strange-ceremony-she-thought-with-all-those-formal/) [Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/) > [“This is a day of celebration! Today, we are divorcing the past and marrying the present. Dance, and you will find God in every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/this-is-a-day-of-celebration-today-we-are-divorcing-the-past-and/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [Introduction - a social ceremony invented by the devil for the gratification of his servants and the plaguing of his enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/introduction-a-social-ceremony-invented-by-the-devil-for-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DUEL, n. A formal ceremony preliminary to reconciliation of two enemies. Great skill is necessary to its satisfactory observance; if awkwardly performed . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/duel-n-a-formal-ceremony-preliminary-to-reconciliation-of-two-enemies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Coronation: The ceremony of investing a sovereign with the outward and visible signs of his divine right to be blown skyhigh with a dynamite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/coronation-the-ceremony-of-investing-a-sovereign-with-the-outward-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/disobey-n-to-celebrate-with-an-appropriate-ceremony-the-maturity-of-a/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“She glanced over her shoulder at him. “So until the wedding ceremony in your chapel, we’ll be chaste?” Her smile flirted and taunted, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-dodd/she-glanced-over-her-shoulder-at-him-so-until-the-wedding-ceremony-in/) [Christina Dodd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-dodd/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Ceremony quotes > [We do not want nowadays temples of worship and outward rites and ceremonies. What we really want is an Asram. We want a place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/we-do-not-want-nowadays-temples-of-worship-and-outward-rites-and/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things - he never said that gay people should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/jesus-never-said-a-word-about-homosexuality-in-all-of-his-teachings/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [It is merely the egoism of the man, who wants to bury a woman like a treasure. All attempts at using vows, contracts, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leopold-von-sacher-masoch/it-is-merely-the-egoism-of-the-man-who-wants-to-bury-a-woman-like-a/) [Leopold von Sacher-Masoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leopold-von-sacher-masoch/) > [Layla brought her arms around herself, no doubt because she was remembering the feel of another, stronger set. "I have wanted to, but he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/layla-brought-her-arms-around-herself-no-doubt-because-she-was/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [There are ceremonious bows that repel one like a cudgel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-nestell-bovee/there-are-ceremonious-bows-that-repel-one-like-a-cudgel/) [Christian Nestell Bovee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-nestell-bovee/) > [The cocktail party - as the name itself indicates - was originally invented by dogs. They are simply bottom-sniffings raised to the rank of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-durrell/the-cocktail-party-as-the-name-itself-indicates-was-originally/) [Lawrence Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-durrell/) > [I am unable to distinguish clearly between your religious ceremonies and apparently identical behavior at the sporting and cultural functions you have transmitted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/i-am-unable-to-distinguish-clearly-between-your-religious-ceremonies/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Politics resemble religion; attempting to divest either of ceremony is the most certain mode of bringing either into contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/politics-resemble-religion-attempting-to-divest-either-of-ceremony-is/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Singing at the Opening Ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics in 2000 was amazing and, probably the highlight of this decade is the opening of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-newton-john/singing-at-the-opening-ceremonies-of-the-sydney-olympics-in-2000-was/) [Olivia Newton-John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-newton-john/) > [Nostalgia is also a trait of the organizations that I call lodges - everything from corporate cultures to religious sects. Their bonding power often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-james/nostalgia-is-also-a-trait-of-the-organizations-that-i-call-lodges/) [Jennifer James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-james/) > [Over the weekend, former Enron executives Jeffrey Skilling and Rebecca Carter married each other during a huge ceremony in Houston. The happy couple is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/over-the-weekend-former-enron-executives-jeffrey-skilling-and-rebecca/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [“Japanese tea ceremony,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-berk/japanese-tea-ceremony/) [Sheryl Berk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-berk/) > [Truth and ceremony are two things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/truth-and-ceremony-are-two-things/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [The trappings of a religious cult tend to fall into candlelit ceremonies and robes and group chanting and singing and prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/the-trappings-of-a-religious-cult-tend-to-fall-into-candlelit/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [No known human group... simply throw out its dead without any ritual or ceremony. In stark contrast, no animal practices burial of dead individuals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodosius-dobzhansky/no-known-human-group-simply-throw-out-its-dead-without-any-ritual-or/) [Theodosius Dobzhansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodosius-dobzhansky/) [Browse all 534 Ceremony quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceremony/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A wedding is a ceremony at which two persons undertake to become one, one undertakes to become nothing, and nothing undertakes to become supportable.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-at-which-two-persons-undertake-to-become-one/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ceremony" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-at-which-two-persons-undertake-to-become-one/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/ambrose-bierce-140_ceremony_a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-at-which-two-per_2548443.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/ambrose-bierce-140_ceremony_a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-at-which-two-per_2548443.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/ambrose-bierce-140_ceremony_a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-at-which-two-per_2548443.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A wedding is a ceremony at which two persons undertake to become one, one undertakes to become nothing, and…” — Ambrose Bierce", "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": "Ambrose Bierce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A wedding is a ceremony at...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-at-which-two-persons-undertake-to-become-one/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-wedding-is-a-ceremony-at-which-two-persons-undertake-to-become-one/#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 } } ] } ```