Friday, May 8, 2009

MARRIAGE & SOCRATES

When Socrates reached his 50s, he went into marriage and took a wife, Xanthippe. She was known to be very hot tempered and nag. He was no ideal husband. He would leave home every morning without fail and return home sometimes quite late. At the end of every month, there was not any pay check.

Story had it that once he was discussing ideas and thoughts in his house with his friends. They were discussing non stop the whole day until his wife, Xanthippe was so fed up and scolded them. She even chases them out of the house. Once outside the house, they continue discussing until the middle of the night. Xanthippe finally could not take it. She took a pail of water and poured it unto them.

The philosopher, soaking wet said “You know my friend, after the thunder, there will always come the rain.”

Many people rush into relationships and into marriage for many reasons. One of the reasons is loneliness. Loneliness can occur even if you have a partner. There are many people who have many friends but are still lonely inside. Do not go into marriage unless you are very sure.

Even if you are married, the philosopher has one word for you.

By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.

Socrates

2 comments:

Tiger said...

Hi MWS,
Coincidence that Socrates is my favorite philosopher!
I've quoted him a number of times in my blog.
Elaine and I have been married for 6 years, and it hasn't been easy all the time.
I suppose the main reason why marriage is such a big problem for most people is because they have such a fixed version of it, that it should be perfect all the time.
It takes work, and a lot of open heartedness to keep the marriage alive.

Unknown said...

Hi Tiger,

I agree with your views. I have been married for 25years...celebrated my silver wedding anniversary a few months ago and have been with my dear husband for over 31 years (6 yrs of courtship) and it is not easy!!!

Now, it is a breeze :-) as we approach middle age because from all the ups and downs, we realize what it means to love, to be married and somehow, there is harmony, love, unity and a compromise of expectations together with acceptance of strengths and weaknesses...

Definitely, commitment, a give and take attitude, patience and LOTS of work to keep a marriage alive..

Romance must always be there (sorrylah I am a sentimental old lady LOL) and communication, not forgetting faithfulness and effort!

Here's wishing you and Elaine a lifetime of sharing, loving, caring and many life enriching experiences.

God bless you and your family.

cheers