Polygamy Quote by Tom Robbins
“When we're incomplete, we're always searching for somebody to complete us. When, after a few years or a few months of a relationship, we find that we're still unfulfilled, we blame our partners and take up with somebody more promising. This can go on and on - series polygamy - until we admit that while a partner can add sweet dimension to our lives, we, each of us, are responsible for our own fulfillment. Nobody else can provide it for us, and to believe otherwise is to delude ourselves dangerously and to program for eventual failure every relationship we enter.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Still Life with Woodpeckers by Tom Robbins, 1980
People often look for external sources to fill inner emptiness, leading to repeated unsatisfying relationships and eventual disappointment.
In simple terms: We must find fulfillment within ourselves, not rely on partners.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate self‑worth and personal fulfillment.
Themes
self‑worth
relationships
personal growth
dependency
fulfillment
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
advice
philosophical
relationship.
When to use this quote
- dating
- marriage
- friendships
- self‑help
- therapy
Key Concepts
psychology
existentialism
attachment theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner needs are you trying to satisfy through others?
- How can you build self‑fulfillment before seeking a partner?
A Different Perspective
External validation cannot replace inner work; relationships may still fail despite personal growth.
![“...Both Elizabeth [Smart] and Ruby [Jessop] were fourteen when they were kidnapped, raped and "kept captive by polygamous fanatics." The main difference in the girls' respective ordeals...is that "Elizabeth was brainwashed for nine months," while Ruby had been brainwashed by polygamist fanatics…” quote by Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bfa/jon-krakauer-1557_crimes-and-punishmen_both-elizabeth-smart-and-ruby-jessop-wer_300466.jpg)
