I believe that anybody who gets married should go to a counselor
I believe that anybody who gets married should go to a counselor for months before the wedding. I think that's going to save guys a lot of money and the ladies a lot of heartbreak.
The words of James Brolin—“I believe that anybody who gets married should go to a counselor for months before the wedding. I think that's going to save guys a lot of money and the ladies a lot of heartbreak.”—are born of wisdom carved from the trials of love and loss. They remind us that a wedding is not merely a day of celebration, but the threshold of a lifelong covenant, a bond that requires preparation of spirit as much as the arranging of flowers or feasts. His counsel is not against marriage, but against entering it blindly, without the tools to endure its storms.
This utterance speaks to the sacred importance of preparation. Just as warriors train before battle and sailors learn the seas before setting sail, so too should lovers prepare their hearts before binding them in matrimony. For to step unready into marriage is to court sorrow. Brolin’s call for counseling is not weakness, but strength—a recognition that the union of two souls is not simple, but demands patience, communication, and understanding.
History offers the example of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor, who wrote in Meditations that discipline and reflection must precede action, lest one stumble into ruin. His wisdom applies here: for those who seek marriage without first examining themselves, their partner, and the bond they share, may build upon sand rather than stone. Brolin’s words echo this ancient principle—that forethought guards against collapse.
The quote also unveils the dual nature of marriage: joy and burden. For men, he warns of wasted wealth when unions dissolve; for women, he speaks of heartbreak that scars the spirit. His imagery reveals not cynicism, but compassion—an acknowledgment that both sides suffer when vows are entered without true readiness. In his view, months of counsel are not a burden, but a shield against greater sorrow.
Let this teaching endure: approach the wedding not as an end, but as a beginning, a door that should only be opened with wisdom. Do not be deceived by the glitter of a single day, but prepare for the lifelong journey that follows. As Brolin teaches, humility in seeking guidance is not weakness, but the highest form of strength. For in preparing wisely, one protects not only the body and the purse, but more importantly, the heart.
HSLe Hoang Son
This statement makes me reflect on how our culture glamorizes weddings but underplays the complexity of marriage. It’s almost ironic that couples will go through months of rehearsal for a single day but none for the decades that follow. Maybe counseling should be seen not as a sign of weakness, but as a tool for building emotional intelligence. Why do you think people still hesitate to seek help before marriage?
VTVo Trang
From a practical standpoint, this quote really resonates. People spend huge amounts on weddings but rarely invest in their relationship’s foundation. Maybe if premarital counseling were more common, fewer couples would face costly breakups later. It’s like preventative care for relationships—cheaper and healthier in the long run. Should governments or communities even consider encouraging it as a standard practice?
TDNguyen Le Tri Dung
I partially agree with this idea. Counseling can definitely help couples identify potential red flags early on. However, it also depends on the counselor’s quality and the couple’s willingness to be open. Some might see counseling as unnecessary or even uncomfortable. Does it risk turning marriage into something overly clinical, or is it a valuable form of emotional education that we all need?
TAThu Anh
It’s interesting that James Brolin points out the financial and emotional consequences for both partners. I think he’s highlighting how lack of preparation can lead to expensive mistakes and deep emotional pain. But do people really believe counseling could prevent those outcomes, or do they assume love alone will solve everything? I’d be curious to hear if couples who did counseling before marriage actually report happier relationships.
NANgoc Anh
This perspective makes a lot of sense, especially considering how high divorce rates are today. Many couples rush into marriage without addressing underlying issues or understanding each other’s expectations. I’d love to know what kind of topics such counseling should cover—finances, conflict resolution, intimacy, or family boundaries? Maybe the real question is whether people are willing to be that honest before tying the knot.