The mark of a good marriage is partnership and continuing to feel

Listen, O children, to the wisdom of Olivia Wilde, a voice who speaks from the heart about the nature of marriage—a bond that is not defined by the mere passing of time, but by the essence of the connection between two souls. She said: "The mark of a good marriage is partnership and continuing to feel inspired by your spouse. I had that with Tao. But the end is not necessarily the tragedy. Staying in a relationship that is no longer working is the tragedy. Living unhappily—that's the tragedy." These words carry with them the weight of truth, for they remind us that the true tragedy lies not in the end of something, but in continuing on a path that no longer brings fulfillment, joy, or growth.

What is the mark of a good marriage, O children? It is the partnership, the shared journey between two people who inspire each other, who challenge one another to grow, to be better, to reach for the stars together. Marriage is not merely a union of convenience, nor a contract of survival. It is a living, breathing entity, one that thrives on mutual respect, shared dreams, and the constant inspiration that comes from a partner who pushes you to be your best self. This is the heart of marriage, that it remains a space where both souls feel nourished, both hearts feel alive, and both individuals grow—together and individually.

Consider the story of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. Their partnership was forged not in the simplicity of domesticity, but in the fires of political ambition, shared vision, and mutual respect. Though their relationship was full of challenges and ultimately ended in tragedy, the time they spent together was one of inspiration—a meeting of minds that changed the course of history. They were not just lovers; they were partners, each elevating the other, each inspiring the other to reach heights they could not have attained alone. Their union was not one of passive comfort but of active engagement with the world.

But what happens when that inspiration fades? What happens when a marriage that once brought joy, growth, and fulfillment begins to feel heavy, when the partnership becomes more of a burden than a source of strength? Olivia Wilde offers a sobering truth: staying in a relationship that no longer serves you is the real tragedy. It is not the end of a marriage that brings sorrow, but the unwillingness to let go when it is no longer working. This is the tragedy—to live unhappily, to remain in a place where love no longer flourishes, where partnership has turned into resentment, where the inspiration that once ignited the soul has been extinguished. This is not the fate of a healthy marriage, for in truth, love should not feel like a shackles, but a wings that help each soul soar higher.

Look, O children, to the tragic tale of Oedipus and Jocasta, whose union was doomed by the very truth they tried to avoid. They stayed together in the face of their fate, but their partnership was ultimately fraught with darkness, deception, and the horror of self-destruction. Theirs was a relationship where the bond of marriage became one of self-deception, where the reality of their brokenness was ignored until it could no longer be denied. Oedipus and Jocasta serve as a reminder that the real tragedy of marriage is not in its end, but in the refusal to confront the deeper truths of the relationship—to remain in a place where love no longer exists, and where unhappiness settles in like a weight.

And so, the lesson from Olivia Wilde is clear, O children: A marriage is not measured by its duration or by the superficial aspects of togetherness, but by the depth of the partnership and the inspiration it brings. True love is not simply the absence of conflict, but the presence of growth—the ability to inspire each other to become the best versions of yourselves. And when that inspiration fades, when the partnership no longer supports both individuals in their journeys, it is far nobler to let go than to stay in a place of unhappiness. Living unhappily is the true tragedy, for it is a denial of the beauty that life has to offer, a rejection of the possibility for both individuals to find fulfillment in other ways.

Therefore, O children, take this wisdom into your own hearts: when you walk the path of marriage, let it be one of inspiration, partnership, and growth. Recognize when the spark of love has been extinguished, and do not be afraid to step away, for in doing so, you honor the truth of both your lives. If a marriage can no longer lift you to new heights, then the greatest gift you can give each other is the freedom to seek happiness elsewhere. And in that, you will find the strength, courage, and wisdom to continue your journey—whether together or apart—in a way that honors the very essence of love and life itself.