This quote presents the idea that a good marriage is more akin to friendship than romantic love. It implies that the qualities that make up a strong friendship—mutual respect, shared interests, understanding, and long-lasting companionship—are also fundamental to a successful marriage.
In contrast, romantic love is often characterized by passion and intensity which can be fleeting or unstable over time. While these feelings can certainly be part of a marriage, relying solely on them might not create a sustainable relationship in the long run.
The notion of ‘love’ here may refer to the initial infatuation stage where emotions run high but might lack depth and understanding. On the other hand, ‘friendship’ represents compatibility, acceptance of each other’s flaws and differences, trustworthiness and reliability—qualities that are essential for longevity in any relationship.
Applying this concept in today’s world or personal development could mean focusing on building solid friendships with our partners alongside nurturing romantic love. It suggests prioritizing communication, mutual respect and shared experiences which are cornerstones of any strong friendship.
For instance, couples might want to invest time in cultivating shared hobbies or interests as friends would do. They could work on improving their communication skills with each other just like how friends would openly talk about their thoughts without fear of judgment or rejection.
In terms of personal development too this perspective holds significance as it encourages individuals to seek depth in relationships rather than getting swayed by surface-level attractions or momentary passion. This approach not only helps build stronger bonds but also contributes towards one’s emotional maturity and understanding of meaningful relationships.
Thus even though this quote was penned centuries ago its wisdom holds relevance even today emphasizing on the importance of companionship over mere romance for lasting marriages.
