--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I consider marriage a very important…" description: "\"“I consider marriage a very important institution, but it is important when and if two people have found the person with whom they wish to spend the re..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/ayn-rand-59_love_i-consider-marriage-a-very-important-ins_1309083.jpg" --- # I consider marriage a very important institution, but it… ![“I consider marriage a very important institution, but it is important when and if two people have found the person with whom they wish to spend the rest of their lives—a question of which no man or woman can be automatically certain. When one is certain that one’s choice is final, then marriage…” quote by Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/ayn-rand-59_love_i-consider-marriage-a-very-important-ins_1309083.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/ayn-rand-59_love_i-consider-marriage-a-very-important-ins_1309083.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/ayn-rand-59_love_i-consider-marriage-a-very-important-ins_1309083.jpg) > ““I consider marriage a very important institution, but it is important when and if two people have found the person with whom they wish to spend the rest of their lives—a question of which no man or woman can be automatically certain. When one is certain that one’s choice is final, then marriage is, of course, a desirable state. But this does not mean that any relationship based on less than total certainty is improper. I think the question of an affair or a marriage depends on the knowledge and the position of the two persons involved and should be left up to them. Either is moral, provided only that both parties take the relationship seriously and that it is based on values.”” [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Marriage is valuable when both partners are fully certain and committed; otherwise, relationships are acceptable if serious and value‑based. **In simple terms:** Marriage needs certainty and commitment; other serious relationships are okay. Key Takeaway Ensure mutual certainty and shared values. Themes commitment certainty values relationships Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - marriage decisions - long‑term partnerships - relationship counseling Key Concepts ethical philosophy personal responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How do you assess certainty in a partnership? - What values must underpin any serious relationship? A Different Perspective certainty is rare; people may misjudge certainty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affair Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affair-marriage-1520269/) [Consider Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consider-marriage-3453714/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Marriage Depends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-depends-645373/) [Marriage Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-important-912594/) [Question Affair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question-affair-3099581/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [“And that was how Jenny discovered the answer to her question. How could she remain Gareth’s lover without becoming his mistress? She couldn’t. 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