The church cries now 'whom God hath joined together let not man put asunder;' but when the people are really civilized the state will say: 'whom Nature hath put asunder let not man bind and manacle together.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author critiques marriage as a state-bound institution, arguing true civilization would unite based on natural fit rather than enforce bonds against nature.
- In plain terms
- Marriage should be based on natural compatibility, not legal enforcement.
- What can you take from it?
- Civilization should respect natural bonds over artificial ones.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Should marriage be a legal institution?
- What defines a natural bond?
Another view
It overlooks the social benefits of structured partnerships.
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