Inspirational Marriage Quotes For Good Times And Tough Times

Marriage is a type of commitment some choose to pursue with their romantic partner. While it’s a connection that is, by definition, between two individuals, many couples can benefit from the wisdom of those who have built successful marriages before them. Those who are in or considering entering into a marriage may find the following quotes about different elements of this type of relationship validating, thought-provoking, inspiring, or otherwise helpful in finding their version of ultimate happiness.   

Quotes On Marriage And Romance

A strong romantic connection is what begins many marriages. Whether your marriage still has a significant romantic element or it has transitioned into deep affection or companionship over time instead, it can be heartwarming to hear about this experience from the perspective of others who are happily married:

• "Experts on romance say for a happy marriage there has to be more than passionate love. For a lasting union, they insist, there must be a genuine liking for each other. Which, in my book, is a good definition for friendship.” –Marilyn Monroe
• "Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies". –Aristotle
• “Marriage is like watching the color of leaves in the fall; ever changing and more stunningly beautiful with each passing day.” –Fawn Weaver
• “Being in a long marriage is a little bit like that nice cup of coffee every morning – I might have it every day, but I still enjoy it.”—Stephen Gaines
• “Before you marry a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow Internet service to see who they really are.” —Will Ferrell
• “Marriage is a risk; I think it’s a great and glorious risk, as long as you embark on the adventure in the same spirit.” —Cate Blanchett
• “Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.” —Franz Schubert
• “Marriage is a mosaic you build with your spouse. Millions of tiny moments that create your love story.” —Jennifer Smith
• "There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage." — Martin Luther
• “A good marriage is where each partner secretly suspects they got the better deal.” —Unknown
• "The highest happiness on earth is marriage." —William Lyon Phelps
• “A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.” —Andre Maurois
• “Marriage, ultimately, is the practice of becoming passionate friends.” —Harville Hendrix
• "For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.” —Judy Garland
• “Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love and they blossom when we love the ones we marry. ” —Tom Mullin
• "Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” —Elizabeth Barrett Browning
• "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” —Lao Tzu
• "Love is like a friendship caught on fire.” —Jeremy Taylor
• "The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” —Audrey Hepburn
• “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” —Mignon McLaughlin 
• “There’s always that one special person that no matter what they do to you, you just can’t let them go.” —

Quotes On Marriage From Books And Movies

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book where the actors or characters put a feeling that you’ve experienced eloquently into words? Oftentimes, those in the arts can express their emotions in a way to which many of us can relate. Here are some quotes about marriage from books and movies that may resonate with you:

• “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” —Moulin Rouge
• "Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while.” —The Princess Bride
• “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” —When Harry Met Sally
• “You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love you. I never wish to be parted from you [from] this day on.” —Pride and Prejudice
• "What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life—to strengthen each other in all labour, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?" —George Eliot, Adam Bede
• “I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” —John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

Quotes On Modern Marriage

The way people approach marriage has changed significantly over the years. The manner in which young married couples interact with each other and handle their relationship typically looks quite different from the way their grandparents or even their parents did. Here are a few quotes that reflect some popular attitudes toward marriage in the modern age:

• "Marriage is getting to have a sleepover with your best friend every night of the week.” —Christie Cook
• “Marriages are like fingerprints; each one is different, and each one is beautiful.” —Maggie Reyes
• "A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.” —Dave Meurer
• "To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow--this is a human offering that can border on miraculous." —Elizabeth Gilbert
• “A good marriage is one which allows for change and growth in the individuals and in the way they express their love.” —Pearl S. Buck
• “The greatest marriages are built on teamwork, a mutual respect, a healthy dose of admiration, and a never-ending portion of love and grace.” —Fawn Weaver
• “The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It’s a choice you make—not just on your wedding day, but over and over again—and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.” —Barbara de Angelis

Quotes On Getting Through Tough Times In A Marriage

Every relationship will come with its trials and challenges, including marriages. While romantic quotes can be inspiring when times are good, the following quotes can be inspiring when times are difficult:

• "It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” —Friedrich Nietzsche
• “Don’t let doubt convince you that your marriage is not worth fighting for.” —Jennifer Smith
• “Marriage is meant to keep people together, not just when things are good, but particularly when they are not. That’s why we take marriage vows, not wishes.” —Ngina Otiende
• “Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads—hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.” —Simone Signoret
• “What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.” —Leo Tolstoy
• “The goal in marriage is not to think alike, but to think together.” —Robert C. Dodd
• “You come to love not by finding the right person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.” —Sam Keen
• “The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret.” —Henny Youngman
• “Ultimately, the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation.” —Oscar Wilde
• “More marriages might survive if the partners realize that sometimes, the better comes after the worse.” —Doug Larson

Elements Of A Healthy Marriage

The definition of a healthy marriage can vary from person to person or couple to couple. However, researchers have uncovered several different elements that seem to be common amongst couples who self-report happy marriages. Some of these include:

• A balance of power. Today, happy couples tend to report percieving that they and their partner have an equal share of power when it comes to the relationship. A 2021 study suggests that perceived power dynamics within the relationship are most important for relationship satisfaction. 
• Positive communication. You’ve probably heard before that communication is often key to any healthy relationship. When it comes to romantic partnerships, one study found that “relatively satisfied couples engaged in more positive, less negative, and more effective communication”.
• Emotional intimacy. The ability to be emotionally vulnerable with your spouse can also contribute to a more connected, fulfilling marriage. One study found that emotional intimacy was even more important than sexual intimacy to the couples who participated. 
• Growth and adventure. Couples who can grow and experience new things together may be more likely to be happy in their marriage long-term. A study on the topic puts it this way: “Marital boredom now predicts less satisfaction nine years later”.

Strengthening Your Marriage In Therapy

Therapy can be a useful tool for strengthening relationships, including marriages. Some people find that attending individual therapy can help them work through their own trauma and strengthen their own interpersonal skills so that their relationship can benefit. Others find that attending couples therapy together can allow them to work through challenges and learn how to communicate with each other better. If you’re interested in using therapy as a tool to benefit your relationship, you can typically choose between in-person and online methods. 

If you’re interested in connecting with a therapist in person—whether individually or as a couple—you can seek out a qualified provider in your area. If you’d prefer to speak with a therapist from the comfort of home, you might consider online therapy. Many couples with busy schedules find it to be a more convenient option, and some even report feeling more at ease, safer, and “less judged” when engaging with a therapist via video.

Those seeking individual therapy might consider an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. Those seeking couples therapy might consider a virtual therapy platform like Regain. Both services can match you with a licensed therapist with whom you can meet with via phone, video call, or in-app messaging from anywhere you have an internet connection. For client reviews of BetterHelp therapists, see below.

Counselor Reviews

“Dr. Harrell was there for me and helped me get to the issues of my problems and triggers. I am a much better person and feel like a new person. I am pursuing a dream that I never thought would be possible to achieve. Me and my wife are again on speaking terms with a small glimmer of hope. I honestly wouldn't be where I am now without her support.”

“Robin is amazing. This is my first time ever doing counselling and I was paired up with Robin. I have no regrets. I was going thought major changes with my family and Robin really help me to put everything in perspective and help me see things in a new light. She is very easy to talk to and work with. I’m really grateful to have met her as she has taught me so much. Thank you Robin. Both my husband and I really appreciate everything you do for us.”