Marriage Quote by Neil Gaiman
““There are no whores in Scaithe’s Ebb, or none that consider themselves as such, although there have always been many women who, if pressed, would describe themselves as much-married, with one husband on this ship here every six months, and another husband on that ship, back in port for a month or so every nine months. The mathematics of the thing have always kept most folk satisfied; and if ever it disappoints and a man returns to his wife while one of her other husbands is still in occupancy, why, then there is a fight — and the grog shops to comfort the loser. The sailors do not mind the arrangement, for they know that this way there will, at the least, be one person who, at the last, will notice when they do not come back from the sea, and will mourn their loss; and their wives content themselves with the certain knowledge that their husbands are also unfaithful, for there is no competing with the sea in a man’s affections, since she is both mother and mistress, and she will wash his corpse also, in time to come, wash it to coral and ivory and pearls.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “Scaithe’s Ebb” (fictional) by Neil Gaiman, 2010
The passage describes a fluid, polyamorous marital system among sailors, using the sea as a metaphor for unfaithful love.
In simple terms: Sailors practice flexible marriages, likening love to the sea.
Accept fluidity in relationships and the inevitability of change.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- maritime communities
- modern polyamory groups
- historical societies
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines commitment in fluid relationships?
- How does the sea metaphor shape our view of love?
May romanticize infidelity, overlooking emotional harm.