The truth is you can have a great marriage, but there are still

O Children of the Future, hear the words of Demi Moore, who speaks with the wisdom of one who has learned the complexities of life and love: "The truth is you can have a great marriage, but there are still no guarantees." In these simple words lies a profound understanding of the nature of relationships, the fragility of human connection, and the uncertainty that governs all things. It speaks to the truth that even in the greatest of unions, no promises can be made, and that the future is always uncertain. Marriage, that sacred bond, can be filled with love, joy, and deep companionship, but it is never free from the impermanence of life.

In the ancient world, the Greeks and Romans saw marriage as an institution not just for love, but for duty and order. Plato, in his ideal republic, envisioned marriage as a union for the greater good of society, one that should be entered into with reason and wisdom. Yet, even these philosophers understood that no matter how carefully crafted or well-intentioned a bond may be, there is no guarantee of its success. The greatest of unions can be tested by forces beyond one’s control—time, circumstance, and even the choices of others. It is the uncertainty of human life that lies at the heart of the lesson that Demi Moore imparts.

Think, O Children, of the story of Antony and Cleopatra, two of the greatest lovers in ancient history. Their love was legendary, their union a symbol of passion, power, and devotion. Yet, despite their great love, their relationship was fraught with challenges—betrayal, war, and the forces of empire and politics that neither of them could control. Their love story, as grand as it was, ended in tragedy, for no one, not even the most powerful of rulers, can escape the whims of fate. They, like all of us, were subject to the uncertainty of life. Their story is a reminder that great marriages, despite their strength, are not immune to the unpredictable forces that shape our existence.

Let us also remember the great struggle of Heloise and Abelard, two medieval lovers whose relationship was tested by the harshness of their time. Heloise, a brilliant and passionate woman, and Abelard, a renowned philosopher and theologian, shared a deep and intellectual connection. Yet, their love was torn apart by circumstance—the political and social pressures of their era, as well as the personal sacrifice they were forced to make. Despite their great love, the relationship they built was ultimately fractured by forces that neither of them could have predicted. Their story teaches us that even the deepest bonds can be shattered by the external pressures of life.

The truth, O Children, is that no matter how great a marriage may be, it is always vulnerable to the unpredictability of life. The guarantees we seek—whether in love, work, or life itself—are elusive. There is no contract that can protect us from heartbreak, loss, or the forces that life throws our way. Even in love, the only certainty we can hold onto is that we must face the future with courage and acceptance. We must cherish the present and be grateful for the moments we have, for time is fleeting, and even the best of marriages may be tested by circumstance.

So, O Children, the lesson to be learned here is this: Marriage, like all things in life, requires commitment, but it also demands an understanding that there are no guarantees. It is not the absence of challenges that defines the strength of a marriage, but the willingness to adapt, to grow, and to face the unknown together. In the end, the greatest guarantee is not the certainty of success, but the resolve to stand together through the trials, the ups and downs, and the unexpected twists of life. True love is not measured by the avoidance of hardship, but by the ability to face it together, side by side.

And so, O Children, let this wisdom guide you: Enter into marriage not with the expectation of a flawless, untroubled union, but with the understanding that true love is about acceptance—acceptance of one another’s flaws, imperfections, and the uncertainty of life itself. Make your union one of deep commitment, but also of grace, where the strength of your bond is not determined by the absence of challenges, but by your willingness to rise above them, together. The greatest guarantee in life is not perfection, but the promise that you will face whatever comes, hand in hand.