Benjamin Otu EffiwattWhat’s the best love you’ve experienced in your life yet? Quotes about love and commitment have been swirling around in my brain for years. If you dig around long enough, you’ll find I’ve written quite a bit about marriage already. From dispelling marriage myths to the simple wisdom of “husbandologist” Gary Thomas. But what you haven’t seen until now is my master list of the best marriage quotes.
Quotes that are honest, and real (and funny, in some cases). Quotes that say what it feels like to build a life with another person. Whether you’re engaged, married for decades, or just love anything relationship-related — these are the best marriage quotes I’ve found.
Why Marriage Quotes Are Still Relevant
You’re probably wondering why quotes even matter. In an age of podcasts and therapists and dating coaches… do the words of past philosophers, authors, poets, and comedians really have anything left to say?
Here’s the thing — sometimes a quote can say in one sentence what others can’t say in hundreds of pages. Quotes have a unique way of cutting to the heart of any matter.
There’s also a lot going on inside of every marriage. It’s messy and wonderful and frustrating and fun. Reading the words of other people who have been in love and built a life with someone allows us to reflect on our own marriages. Sometimes you just need someone else to VALIDATE how you feel about your spouse.
The Anatomy of a Great Marriage Quote
Before I jump into my list, I want to take a second and talk about what makes marriage quotes great. If I had to boil it down to two things, I’d say great marriage quotes are honest and specific.
They’re honest in that they don’t sugarcoat love or marriage. There will be hard days. But they don’t dwell on that either. They simply acknowledge that real love is beautiful and complicated all at once.
The best quotes are also pretty specific. Say what you want about clichés like “love conquers all,” but at least those kinds of quotes give you a feeling. A good marriage quote will paint you a mental picture. It will make you feel seen.
With that said…
Marriage Quotes That Will Make You Feel Seen
1. “A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.” — Dave Meurer
Okay, hear me out on this one. Marriage is tough because so many people walk into it expecting their partner to be perfect. You know the type. Their love language is always your love language. They never leave dirty dishes in the sink. They don’t keep late hours without letting you know.
Dave Meurer turns that thinking on its head. He says great marriages happen when you realize you DON’T have to search all over the world for your soulmate. The one you settle for? The real, imperfect person you actually marry? You can learn to love their quirks, just as they learn to love yours.
Boom. Mind blown.
2. “The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret.” — Henny Youngman
Okay so yes, this is technically a comedian making a joke. But there’s so much truth hidden in his quip.
Every couple has a secret. Maybe it’s how your partner likes to be loved. Maybe it’s something you do on date night. Whatever it is, no one can tell you what works in your marriage. Odds are what makes your partnership tick is different from your neighbor’s.
Embrace what you and your partner have cooked up. Your marriage is your business. Let everyone else wonder what you do to keep things fresh.
3. “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” — Lao Tzu
Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt like you give more than you get in your relationship. Relationship equity is a real thing. But dig a little deeper and I bet you’ll find there are just as many days you feel loved by your spouse as there are days you struggle.
This classic Lao Tzu quote reminds us that love is reciprocal. When you love someone with your whole heart, you’re giving them your strength. Your partner loves you right back — and that’s what gives you courage.
4. “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” — Mignon McLaughlin
No couples therapist says this stuff quite like one who also writes relationship quotes. There’s something about realizing you’re not crazy that makes you feel better.
Your feelings will change. They ebb and flow. The trick is realizing that when you don’t “feel” in love with your spouse, it doesn’t mean you aren’t. Lasting couples fall in love over and over again. Through the little things and the big stuff. They choose each other.
5. “There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.” — Martin Luther
Okay, this one IS cheesier than the others. Hear me out though! Luther uses the word “communion” and I love that word in the context of marriage. Sure, it’s nice to just have someone to spend your life with. Great marriage material fosters more than that, though, right?
When you have a healthy, wonderful marriage, it becomes the foundation of your life. It’s beautiful.
6. “Marriage is not a noun; it’s a verb. It isn’t something you get. It’s something you do. It’s the way you love your partner every day.” — Barbara De Angelis
Barbara De Angelis’s words are worth framing and hanging up in every marriage counseling office. Listen up, lovebirds about to walk down the aisle. Marriage isn’t a milestone you reach in your relationship. It’s an action word.
You don’t just wake up one day and “do” marriage. You have to show up each day and choose to love your spouse. It’s a process. It’s a feeling. It’s something you do.
7. “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” — Audrey Hepburn
She didn’t write volumes on love and relationships. And honestly, she didn’t have to. Like any good actress, Hepburn could sum up complex concepts in a few short words. When life gets crazy — careers, kids, Instagram — never forget what’s important.
You and your partner are it. Always will be.
8. “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” — Emily Brontë
Look, “Wuthering Heights” is a classic for a reason. Take this line out of context and it’s still powerful. When you find THAT person, you feel like your souls are connected. I know I said every couple is different, but bear with me on this one…
When you’ve been married for a long time, I think you start to feel this way about your spouse. Like you and they are made of the same stuff. It’s one of those true love feelings that’s hard to describe. But you know it when you find it.
9. “You don’t marry one person; you marry three: the person you think they are, the person they are, and the person they are going to become.” — Richard Needham
Okay, so this quote gives me something to think about. Marriage is long. Like REALLY long. The person your spouse is on your wedding day won’t be the same person 10, 20, or 30 years down the road.
Your spouse will change. You will too. And the beautiful thing about a great partnership is that you continue to fall in love with your spouse as they grow and evolve.
10. “In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.” — Maya Angelou
Save the best for last, right? Every list of marriage quotes needs a Maya Angelou. She wrote about love the way no one else can.
Angelou puts our entire relationship with our spouse into one sentence. When you love someone with your whole heart, there’s no other person on Earth you’d rather have love you back.
Similarities Between These Marriage Quotes
So what did you notice about these quotes? I’m guessing a few things stood out to you.
First, that the best marriages are rooted in action. Whether it’s falling in love over and over again or waking up every day and choosing to love your spouse, these healthy partnerships require work.
Second, great marriages DON’T pretend that love is easy all the time. They’re honest about the good and the bad.
Finally, you knew this was coming but… great marriage quotes are super dang insightful. Nah, I’m just kidding. There’s nothing wrong with reading a quote and thinking, “Huh, nothing new here.”
How to Actually Use These Quotes
Alright, last thing. You’ve read through my big ol’ list of marriage quotes — great. But now what? Well, you don’t just have to read these and turn the page. In fact, I want you to avoid that at all costs!
Take your time with these. Let them simmer. Figure out which one really speaks to you or your spouse and hang it on your fridge. Write it in a card. Get into a disagreement and quote it back and forth at each other.
Trust me when I say the right words can change everything. If one of these quotes makes you see your relationship in a new light, keep it close. You never know when you might need to revisit it.
Final Thought
Relationships are hard. Marriage is one of the biggest commitments you’ll ever make. But it’s also supremely rewarding.
Those who have been in love and weathered the storms life throws your way have a lot to say about relationships. Use their words to find new appreciation for your partner.
You’re married to your person for better or worse. Some days will feel like the “worse” part. It doesn’t make your marriage any less good. So lean on these quotes when you need a little reminder that you love your spouse — and they love you right back.
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