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About this quote

What does it mean?
Marriage is a personal choice, not one dictated by institutions or governments.
In plain terms
Only the couple decides to marry, not the state or church.
What can you take from it?
Marriage belongs to the partners.

Where it applies

  • policy debate
  • wedding planning
  • family law

Putting it to work

  • support civil unions
  • reduce state control

Questions to consider

  • Who should define marriage?
  • Why do governments care?

Another view

Some view marriage as a societal duty.

More from Robert G. Ingersoll

  1. Man has found that he must give liberty to others in order to have it himself.

    Permalink to quote #164
  2. Mental slavery is mental death, and every man who has given up his intellectual freedom is the living coffin of his dead soul.

    Permalink to quote #166
  3. Love is not a crime ... men and women should be proudly natural; they need not grovel on the earth and cover their faces for shame.

    Permalink to quote #163

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