--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Marriage is by nature a covenant, Not…" description: "\"Marriage is by nature a covenant, Not just a private contract one may cancel at will..\" — Bruce C. Hafen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a1/bruce-c-hafen-27814_contracts_marriage-is-by-nature-a-covenant-not-jus_171596.png" --- # Marriage is by nature a covenant, Not just a private… ![“Marriage is by nature a covenant, Not just a private contract one may cancel at will..” quote by Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a1/bruce-c-hafen-27814_contracts_marriage-is-by-nature-a-covenant-not-jus_171596.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a1/bruce-c-hafen-27814_contracts_marriage-is-by-nature-a-covenant-not-jus_171596.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a1/bruce-c-hafen-27814_contracts_marriage-is-by-nature-a-covenant-not-jus_171596.png) > “Marriage is by nature a covenant, Not just a private contract one may cancel at will..” [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) ## 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 a deep, enduring partnership, not a simple contract that can be broken at will. **In simple terms:** Marriage is a lasting covenant, not an easy exit. Key Takeaway Treat marriage as a serious, mutual commitment. Themes marriage commitment relationship values covenant Mood thoughtful serious reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - family counseling - pre‑marital counseling - personal relationships Key Concepts ethical commitment spiritual partnership long‑term view Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities does a covenant imply? - How can partners honor this deeper bond? A Different Perspective Treating marriage as a contract can undermine its depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contracts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contracts/) [Covenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/covenant/) [Covenant Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/covenant-just-1856355/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Marriage Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-nature-1856353/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Nature Covenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-covenant-1856354/) [Private Contract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/private-contract-1856356/) ## Related quotes > [Marriage is nature's way of keeping us from fighting with strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/marriage-is-nature-s-way-of-keeping-us-from-fighting-with-strangers/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [Marriage is nature's way of ensuring that a woman picks up some mothering experience before she has her first child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/marriage-is-nature-s-way-of-ensuring-that-a-woman-picks-up-some/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [An open marriage is nature's way of telling you that you need a divorce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-landers/an-open-marriage-is-nature-s-way-of-telling-you-that-you-need-a/) [Ann Landers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-landers/) > [It is impossible! It has never happened - it cannot happen in the very nature of things. Marriage is something against nature. Marriage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/it-is-impossible-it-has-never-happened-it-cannot-happen-in-the-very/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I deeply believe that marriage is by nature between a man and a woman, but that conviction does not prevent me from recognising that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-pinera/i-deeply-believe-that-marriage-is-by-nature-between-a-man-and-a-woman/) [Sebastian Pinera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-pinera/) > [A covenant energy is anchored on the planet at this time, and it carries the new contract for the Earth plane in this second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-mccormick-day/a-covenant-energy-is-anchored-on-the-planet-at-this-time-and-it/) [Christine McCormick Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-mccormick-day/) > [“When God makes a covenant with us, God says: 'I will love you with an everlasting love. I will be faithful to you, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-j-m-nouwen/when-god-makes-a-covenant-with-us-god-says-i-will-love-you-with-an/) [Henri J.M. Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-j-m-nouwen/) > [A group is as healthy as its 'social contract' is clear; a congregation as faithful as its covenant is mutually understood; a pastor as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-group-is-as-healthy-as-its-social-contract-is-clear-a-congregation/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only compensation, gained through the influence of nongovernmental organizations, consisted in slightly broadening for private individuals the possibility of access and appeal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-cassin/the-only-compensation-gained-through-the-influence-of-nongovernmental/) [Rene Cassin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-cassin/) > [The average citizen expresses pride in the American Bill of Rights and then seeks to protect his real estate by restrictive covenants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-allen-overstreet/the-average-citizen-expresses-pride-in-the-american-bill-of-rights/) [Harry Allen Overstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-allen-overstreet/) > [White and shining virgin of all human virtues, ark of the covenant between earth and heaven, tender and strong companion partaking of the lion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/white-and-shining-virgin-of-all-human-virtues-ark-of-the-covenant/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [There is no more blessed way of living, than the life of faith based upon a covenant-keepin g God - to know that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/there-is-no-more-blessed-way-of-living-than-the-life-of-faith-based/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“God is worming out His and our adversaries, which He will do by little and little, till they be consumed. The covenant is seasonable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/various/god-is-worming-out-his-and-our-adversaries-which-he-will-do-by-little/) [Various](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/various/) > [God will keep His promises to you as you honor your covenants with Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-m-stephens/god-will-keep-his-promises-to-you-as-you-honor-your-covenants-with-him/) [Carole M. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-m-stephens/) > [ T\]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-building-it-s-not-a-preaching/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) ## More by Bruce C. Hafen > [Equal partnerships are not made in heaven-they are made on earth, one choice at a time, one conversation at a time, one threshold crossing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/equal-partnerships-are-not-made-in-heaven-they-are-made-on-earth-one/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [“…Between the poles of sin and adversity, lie such intermediate points as unwise choices and hasty judgments. In these cases, it may be unclear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/between-the-poles-of-sin-and-adversity-lie-such-intermediate-points/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [Joy is not an alternative to opposition; it is part of a compound that includes opposition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/joy-is-not-an-alternative-to-opposition-it-is-part-of-a-compound-that/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [If you have problems in your life, don’t assume there is something wrong with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/if-you-have-problems-in-your-life-don-t-assume-there-is-something/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can learn from our experience without being condemned by our experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/because-of-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ-we-can-learn-from-our/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [“Properly understood, then, the scriptures counsel us to be virtuous not because romantic love is bad, but precisely because romantic love is so good.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/properly-understood-then-the-scriptures-counsel-us-to-be-virtuous-not/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [Life is a school, a place for us to learn and grow. We, like Adam and Eve, experience 'growing pains' through the sorrow and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/life-is-a-school-a-place-for-us-to-learn-and-grow-we-like-adam-and/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [You must realize that the true desire to express affection can be motivated by things other than true love… In short, one might simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/you-must-realize-that-the-true-desire-to-express-affection-can-be/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [The great Mediator asks for our repentance not because we must ‘repay’ him in exchange for his paying our debt to justice, but because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/the-great-mediator-asks-for-our-repentance-not-because-we-must-repay/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [The deep hurt is the mirror image of the deep joy that still awaits you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/the-deep-hurt-is-the-mirror-image-of-the-deep-joy-that-still-awaits/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [Each of us will taste the bitter ashes of life, from sin and neglect to sorrow and disappointment. But the atonement of Christ can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/each-of-us-will-taste-the-bitter-ashes-of-life-from-sin-and-neglect/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [In the long run, our most deeply held desires will govern our choices, one by one and day by day, until our lives finally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/in-the-long-run-our-most-deeply-held-desires-will-govern-our-choices/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [This earth is not our home. We are away at school, trying to master the lessons of "the great plan of happiness" so we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/this-earth-is-not-our-home-we-are-away-at-school-trying-to-master-the/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [The Savior desires to save us from our inadequacies as well as our sins. Inadequacy is not the same as being sinful - we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/the-savior-desires-to-save-us-from-our-inadequacies-as-well-as-our/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [“The Savior asks us to repent not just to repay him for paying our debt to justice, but also to induce us to undergo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/the-savior-asks-us-to-repent-not-just-to-repay-him-for-paying-our/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) [Explore all 20 Bruce C. Hafen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) ## More Contracts quotes > [So, in the last year, the whole cast sued for release from our contracts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-rettig/so-in-the-last-year-the-whole-cast-sued-for-release-from-our-contracts/) [Tommy Rettig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-rettig/) > [I would have had a clause in my contract; I would've definitely put some fine print in my contract that said, "If the president…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-budden/i-would-have-had-a-clause-in-my-contract-i-would-ve-definitely-put/) [Joe Budden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-budden/) > [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/) > [Record contracts are just like - I'm gonna say the word, slavery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince/record-contracts-are-just-like-i-m-gonna-say-the-word-slavery/) [Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince/) > [These are the men who, without virtue, labour, or hazard, are growing rich, as their country is impoverished; they rejoice, when obstinacy or ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/these-are-the-men-who-without-virtue-labour-or-hazard-are-growing/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nowadays, in the contract that actors sign, you have to agree that you're going to do a certain amount of publicity-the hard part they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bridges/nowadays-in-the-contract-that-actors-sign-you-have-to-agree-that-you/) [Jeff Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bridges/) > [24.9 percent of American children live in poverty, while the proportions in Germany, France and Italy are 8.6, 7.4 and 10.5 percent. And once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hutton/24-9-percent-of-american-children-live-in-poverty-while-the/) [Will Hutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hutton/) > [Columbia tried to put me behind other groups, so I didn't wanna wait, they let me out of the contract and I'm glad they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dmx/columbia-tried-to-put-me-behind-other-groups-so-i-didn-t-wanna-wait/) [DMX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dmx/) > [I've proposed a contract with the American voter that will give the government back to the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-ve-proposed-a-contract-with-the-american-voter-that-will-give-the/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I believe people ought to be treated fairly under the law. I see no reason why if the marriage contract conveys certain things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-believe-people-ought-to-be-treated-fairly-under-the-law-i-see-no/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We sign contracts to fight, not to dip, duck and dodge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/we-sign-contracts-to-fight-not-to-dip-duck-and-dodge/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [The earth itself assures us it is a living entity. Deep below surface one can hear its slow pulse, feel its vibrant rhythm. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-waters/the-earth-itself-assures-us-it-is-a-living-entity-deep-below-surface/) [Frank Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-waters/) > [Society is indeed a contract. It is a partnership in all science; a partnership in all art; a partnership in every virtue, and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/society-is-indeed-a-contract-it-is-a-partnership-in-all-science-a/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [I don't generate a storyline and then fill it out in the course of writing. The story actually generates in the course of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/i-don-t-generate-a-storyline-and-then-fill-it-out-in-the-course-of/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [Corporations are created by the people, acting through their governments. We grant them corporate charters that confer certain legal rights and privileges, like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcgovern/corporations-are-created-by-the-people-acting-through-their/) [Jim McGovern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcgovern/) [Browse all 1,004 Contracts quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contracts/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Marriage is by nature a covenant, Not just a private contract one may cancel at will..", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bruce C. 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