Doing the right thing Quote by Franklin Veaux
““We were so busy thinking about protecting ourselves that we didn't think about the happiness of anyone else who might become involved with us. As a result, our rules focused on our own relationship. We thought that if we preserved the relationship between the two of us, the "core relationship," we were doing the right thing. We never considered that rules that worked for us might not work for the other people we would come to love, and we certainly never looked at our relationship from their perspective.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ethical Slut, Franklin Veaux & Dossie Easton, 1997
Focusing only on self‑protection can blind us to others’ needs, leading to rules that serve just one side of a relationship.
In simple terms: Self‑focus harms shared happiness.
Key Takeaway
Consider others’ perspectives in relationship rules.
Themes
relationships
empathy
boundaries
communication
ethics
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- dating
- long‑term partnership
- blended families
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
polyamory
relationship dynamics
ethical frameworks
Questions to Reflect On
- How might your rules change if you view them through a partner’s eyes?
- What steps can you take to include others’ happiness?
A Different Perspective
Rules that work for two may fail for more; flexibility is needed.
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