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About this quote

What does it mean?
Shaw uses irony to compare marital virtue to a labor union protecting shared interests.
In plain terms
Being a good spouse is like workers sticking together for mutual benefit.
What can you take from it?
View marriage as a partnership of shared interests.

Where it applies

  • marriage counseling
  • social commentary

Putting it to work

  • evaluate partnership dynamics
  • recognize mutual benefits

Questions to consider

  • What holds a marriage together?
  • Is virtue selfish or selfless?

Another view

Virtue often implies moral duty beyond mutual gain.

More from George Bernard Shaw

  1. An Englishman thinks he is moral when he is only uncomfortable.

    Permalink to quote #107
  2. There are two tragedies in life. One is to lose your heart's desire. The other is to get it.

    Permalink to quote #109
  3. Hell is full of musical amateurs. Music is the brandy of the damned.

    Permalink to quote #106

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