--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not we as individuals, then, who…" description: "\"It is not we as individuals, then, who must bend uncomfortably around the institution of marriage; rather, it is the institution of marriage that has t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/221/elizabeth-gilbert-131_individual_it-is-not-we-as-individuals-then-who-mus_2682698.jpg" --- # It is not we as individuals, then, who must bend… ![“It is not we as individuals, then, who must bend uncomfortably around the institution of marriage; rather, it is the institution of marriage that has to bend uncomfortably around us.” quote by Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/221/elizabeth-gilbert-131_individual_it-is-not-we-as-individuals-then-who-mus_2682698.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/221/elizabeth-gilbert-131_individual_it-is-not-we-as-individuals-then-who-mus_2682698.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/221/elizabeth-gilbert-131_individual_it-is-not-we-as-individuals-then-who-mus_2682698.jpg) > “It is not we as individuals, then, who must bend uncomfortably around the institution of marriage; rather, it is the institution of marriage that has to bend uncomfortably around us.” [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Marriage should adapt to individuals, not force individuals to conform; the institution must be flexible. **In simple terms:** Marriage should bend for people. Key Takeaway Advocate for flexible, inclusive relationships. Themes relationships institutional critique flexibility Mood thoughtful progressive Type social philosophical When to use this quote - legal reform - personal boundaries Key Concepts sociology gender studies Questions to Reflect On - How can couples negotiate institutional expectations? - What reforms make marriage more adaptable? A Different Perspective Changing institutions can meet resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) ## Related quotes > [“It is not we as individuals, then, who must bend uncomfortably around the institution of marriage; rather it is the institution of marriage that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/it-is-not-we-as-individuals-then-who-must-bend-uncomfortably-around-2/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [But people try love and because they are unconscious... their longing is good, but their love is full of jealousy, full of possessiveness, full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/but-people-try-love-and-because-they-are-unconscious-their-longing-is/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [“Any man," she muttered, "who wanted to marry into the Hathaway family after this should be shut away in an institution." 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