Law Quote by Richard H. Thaler
““We can even see the legal institution of marriage as a precommitment strategy, not unlike that of Ulysses in approaching the Sirens, in which people knowingly choose a legal status that will protect them against their own errors.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Behavioral Economics, 2015
Marriage can act as a commitment device, similar to mythic strategies that help people avoid self‑sabotage.
In simple terms: Marriage as a self‑control tool.
Key Takeaway
Use contracts to lock in good habits.
Themes
commitment
self‑control
marriage
behavioral economics
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- relationship planning
- financial decisions
- personal goals
Key Concepts
pre‑commitment
strategic choice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you design personal commitments that feel empowering?
- What risks arise when relying on legal contracts for self‑control?
A Different Perspective
People may resist formal agreements due to fear of loss of freedom.
![“While it may be true that allowing single-sex unions will not immediately and directly affect all existing marriages, the real question is how it will affect society as a whole over time, including the rising generation and future generations. ["The Divine Institution of Marriage," August 13, 2008]” quote by LDS Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1da/lds-church-47854_marriage_while-it-may-be-true-that-allowing-singl_265106.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
![“[Islam] Leaves no room of human legislation in an Islamic state, because herein all legislative functions vest in God and the only function left for Muslims lies in their observance of the God-made law.” quote by Abul A'la Maududi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/704/abul-a-la-maududi-51903_function_islam-leaves-no-room-of-human-legislatio_886.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
