---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Young men not ought to marry yet, and old…"
description: "\"Young men not ought to marry yet, and old men never ought to marry at all.\" — Diogenes"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/diogenes-4214_marriage_young-men-not-ought-to-marry-yet-and-old_1325476.png"
---

#  Young men not ought to marry yet, and old men never ought…

![“Young men not ought to marry yet, and old men never ought to marry at all.” quote by Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/diogenes-4214_marriage_young-men-not-ought-to-marry-yet-and-old_1325476.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/diogenes-4214_marriage_young-men-not-ought-to-marry-yet-and-old_1325476.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/diogenes-4214_marriage_young-men-not-ought-to-marry-yet-and-old_1325476.png)

> “Young men not ought to marry yet, and old men never ought to marry at all.”

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Young men should delay marriage; old men should avoid it altogether, reflecting a critique of marital norms.

**In simple terms:** Youth and age have different reasons to postpone marriage.

Key Takeaway

Consider personal readiness over societal expectations.

Themes

philosophy social critique relationships

Mood

reflective skeptical

Type

philosophical critical

When to use this quote

- personal life decisions
- cultural analysis
- historical study

Key Concepts

age marriage social norms

Questions to Reflect On

- Is marriage still relevant for personal growth?
- How do age and experience shape relationship choices?

A Different Perspective

Modern contexts may value partnership differently.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Marry Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marry-old-412724/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Old man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-man/) [Old men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-men/) [Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought/) [Ought Marry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought-marry-1847348/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) [Young man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-man/) [Young men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-men/)

## Related quotes

> [I love the acquaintance of young people; because, in the first place, I do not like to think myself growing old. In the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/i-love-the-acquaintance-of-young-people-because-in-the-first-place-i/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [When the waitress puts the dinner on the table, the old men look at the dinner. The young men look at the waitress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/when-the-waitress-puts-the-dinner-on-the-table-the-old-men-look-at/)

[Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/)

> [Yet, every now and then, there would pass a young girl, slender, fair and desirable, arousing in young men a not ignoble desire to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/yet-every-now-and-then-there-would-pass-a-young-girl-slender-fair-and/)

[Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/)

> [Young men have visions, old men have dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-smith/young-men-have-visions-old-men-have-dreams/)

[Red Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-smith/)

> [Young men mend not their sight by using old men's spectacles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-donne/young-men-mend-not-their-sight-by-using-old-men-s-spectacles/)

[John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-donne/)

> [“In childhood, you long to grow up fast because older people are more powerful, young men more powerful. A child just longs to grow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/in-childhood-you-long-to-grow-up-fast-because-older-people-are-more/)

[Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/)

> [“may be well to repeat here the saying that old men talk of what they have done, young men of what they are doing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carter-g-woodson/may-be-well-to-repeat-here-the-saying-that-old-men-talk-of-what-they/)

[Carter G. Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carter-g-woodson/)

> [When old men decided to barter young men for pride and profit, the transaction was called war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/len-deighton/when-old-men-decided-to-barter-young-men-for-pride-and-profit-the/)

[Len Deighton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/len-deighton/)

> [“ Luther Burbank was born in a brick farmhouse in Lancaster Mass, he walked through the woods one winter crunching through the shinycrusted snow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dos-passos/luther-burbank-was-born-in-a-brick-farmhouse-in-lancaster-mass-he/)

[John Dos Passos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dos-passos/)

> [“So what, then"-his voice deepened, softened, the suave tones sliding over her skin-"will it take to convince you that you should-indeed, ought to-marry me?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-laurens/so-what-then-his-voice-deepened-softened-the-suave-tones-sliding-over/)

[Stephanie Laurens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-laurens/)

> [“I think I understand now what you meant when you said I have to give up my mortal qualms. And I am willing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-think-i-understand-now-what-you-meant-when-you-said-i-have-to-give/)

[Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/)

> [You ought to marry someone who’s willing to go anywhere for God. If they’re not, they're out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/you-ought-to-marry-someone-who-s-willing-to-go-anywhere-for-god-if/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [Everyone ought to wish to marry; some ought to be allowed to marry; and others ought to marry twice - to make the average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bailey-aldrich/everyone-ought-to-wish-to-marry-some-ought-to-be-allowed-to-marry-and/)

[Thomas Bailey Aldrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bailey-aldrich/)

> [“What, sir, would you think of a member of the Weaker Sex who assumed the guise of a man, and left the home of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/what-sir-would-you-think-of-a-member-of-the-weaker-sex-who-assumed/)

[Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/)

> [Here's my advice to you: don't marry until you can tell yourself that you've done all you could, and until you've stopped loving the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/here-s-my-advice-to-you-don-t-marry-until-you-can-tell-yourself-that/)

[Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/)

## More by Diogenes

> [Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good and get the fewest rewards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/dogs-and-philosophers-do-the-greatest-good-and-get-the-fewest-rewards/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [Perdiccas threatened to put him to death unless he came to him, "That's nothing wonderful," Diogenes said, "for a beetle or a tarantula would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/perdiccas-threatened-to-put-him-to-death-unless-he-came-to-him-that-s/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [If only it was as easy to banish hunger by rubbing the belly as it is to masturbate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/if-only-it-was-as-easy-to-banish-hunger-by-rubbing-the-belly-as-it-is/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [He has the most who is most content with the least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/he-has-the-most-who-is-most-content-with-the-least/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/in-a-rich-man-s-house-there-is-no-place-to-spit-but-his-face/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [Chilo advised, "not to speak evil of the dead."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/chilo-advised-not-to-speak-evil-of-the-dead/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [There is a false love that will make you something you are not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/there-is-a-false-love-that-will-make-you-something-you-are-not/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [“And at last, becoming a complete misanthrope, he used to live, spending his time in walking about the mountains; feeding on grasses and plants,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/and-at-last-becoming-a-complete-misanthrope-he-used-to-live-spending/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [Most men are within a finger's breadth of being mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/most-men-are-within-a-finger-s-breadth-of-being-mad/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [It takes a wise man to discover a wise man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/it-takes-a-wise-man-to-discover-a-wise-man/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [I am Diogenes the Dog. I nuzzle the kind, bark at the greedy and bite scoundrels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/i-am-diogenes-the-dog-i-nuzzle-the-kind-bark-at-the-greedy-and-bite/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [To become self-educated you should condemn yourself for all those things that you would criticize others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/to-become-self-educated-you-should-condemn-yourself-for-all-those/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/it-is-the-privilege-of-the-gods-to-want-nothing-and-of-godlike-men-to/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [Those who have virtue always in their mouths, and neglect it in practice, are like a harp, which emits a sound pleasing to others,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/those-who-have-virtue-always-in-their-mouths-and-neglect-it-in/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

> [I am looking for a human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/i-am-looking-for-a-human/)

[Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

[Explore all 114 Diogenes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/)

## More Marriage quotes

> [Unmarried couples should get married - that's an excellent tax avoidance measure, if a bit drastic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-whiting/unmarried-couples-should-get-married-that-s-an-excellent-tax/)

[John Whiting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-whiting/)

> [I know for my wife and I, we always loved the idea of being young parents. It is an incredibly inspiring and challenging job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hanson/i-know-for-my-wife-and-i-we-always-loved-the-idea-of-being-young/)

[Taylor Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hanson/)

> [I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict Scripture. MARTIN LUTHER, letter to Chancellor Gregory Brück, January 13,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/i-cannot-forbid-a-person-to-marry-several-wives-for-it-does-not/)

[Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/)

> [I don't like being away from home. That's one reason why I don't work as much as I used to \[when I started my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-powell/i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s-one-reason-why-i-don-t-work/)

[Jane Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-powell/)

> [Luckily, the bullet that hit my chest never got to me. It was stopped by a silver case I got for my brother's wedding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-doohan/luckily-the-bullet-that-hit-my-chest-never-got-to-me-it-was-stopped/)

[James Doohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-doohan/)

> [Do you think that God would separate me from my husband if I killed myself? I feel as though I am going out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-think-that-god-would-separate-me-from-my-husband-if-i-killed/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/)

[Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/)

> [“Take an interest in his appearance. Keeping his clothes in order is your job; encouraging him to look his best, and admiring him when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-baker/take-an-interest-in-his-appearance-keeping-his-clothes-in-order-is/)

[Ellen Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-baker/)

> [Females always say, you can't turn a hoe into a house wife, but steady be trying to turn a dog into a faithful man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/females-always-say-you-can-t-turn-a-hoe-into-a-house-wife-but-steady/)

[Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/)

> [He's a fool that marries; but he's a greater fool that does not marry a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wycherley/he-s-a-fool-that-marries-but-he-s-a-greater-fool-that-does-not-marry/)

[William Wycherley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wycherley/)

> [Her dignity consists in being unknown to the world; her glory is in the esteem of her husband; her pleasures in the happiness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/her-dignity-consists-in-being-unknown-to-the-world-her-glory-is-in/)

[Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/)

> [But I think that of all the literature that I studied, the book that did more than any other to fire my enthusiasm was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kwame-nkrumah/but-i-think-that-of-all-the-literature-that-i-studied-the-book-that/)

[Kwame Nkrumah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-nkrumah/)

> [Most marriages don't add two people together. They subtract one from the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-fleming/most-marriages-don-t-add-two-people-together-they-subtract-one-from/)

[Ian Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-fleming/)

> [Alimony - the ransom that the happy pay to the devil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/alimony-the-ransom-that-the-happy-pay-to-the-devil/)

[H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/)

> [“His own parents, the estimable Gilchrists, a couple who had taken the 'till death' part of their own wedding vows so seriously he wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-blake/his-own-parents-the-estimable-gilchrists-a-couple-who-had-taken-the/)

[Ally Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-blake/)

[Browse all 31,920 Marriage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Young men not ought to marry yet, and old men never ought to marry at all.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Diogenes"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/young-men-not-ought-to-marry-yet-and-old-men-never-ought-to-marry-at/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Marriage"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/young-men-not-ought-to-marry-yet-and-old-men-never-ought-to-marry-at/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/diogenes-4214_marriage_young-men-not-ought-to-marry-yet-and-old_1325476.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/diogenes-4214_marriage_young-men-not-ought-to-marry-yet-and-old_1325476.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/diogenes-4214_marriage_young-men-not-ought-to-marry-yet-and-old_1325476.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Young men not ought to marry yet, and old men never ought to marry at all.” — Diogenes",
                "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": "Diogenes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Young men not ought to marry...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/young-men-not-ought-to-marry-yet-and-old-men-never-ought-to-marry-at/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/young-men-not-ought-to-marry-yet-and-old-men-never-ought-to-marry-at/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
