Quotes About Relationships

We're vulnerable to repeating history, especially if we don't know what's driving us. For example, it may be a family tradition to marry someone with addiction problems, or who is an injured bird in need of caretaking. Or, you may be drawn to guys who remind you of your distant, unavailable father -- or your ill-tempered mother -- with the unconscious belief that you can take an old story, and through the power of your love, give it a new, happy ending.

Wherever you find a wife and mother-in-law slugging it out, you'll find a son who's not speaking up to either his mother or his wife.

It's a cliché, but also a deep truth (as cliché's tend to be), that you can't love another person very well if you don't love yourself.

Kids want nothing more than for all the important adults in their life to get along.

People marry with a deep longing that their partner will tend to their wounds, not throw salt in them. Honor your partner's vulnerability.

Relationships are most likely to fail when we don't address problems or hold our partner accountable for unfair or irresponsible behavior ... the ability to clarify our values, beliefs, and life goals--and then to keep our behavior congruent with them--is at the heart of a solid marriage.

Through words we come to know the other person--and to be known. This knowing is at the heart of our deepest longings for intimacy and connection with others. How relationships unfold with the most important people in our lives depends on courage and clarity in finding voice.

The rush of sexual attraction can act like a drug and blur our capacity for clear thinking. This can lead us to distance ourselves from our friends or even abandon our life plan for someone who couldn't otherwise be relied on to water our plants and feed our cat.

In long-term relationships ... we are called upon to navigate that delicate balance between separateness and connectedness ... we confront the challenge of sustaining both--without losing either.

While women once acquired relationship skills to "hook," "snare," or "catch" a husband who would provide access to economic security and social status, the position of contemporary women has not changed that radically. Much of our success still depends on our attunement to "male culture," our ability to please men, and our readiness to conform to the masculine values of our institutions.

Men are often (though not always) the pursuers for sex, just like women are often (though not always) the pursuers for conversation.

I've yet to meet the person who aspires to be phony or invisible in her closest relationships.

Love yourself unconditionally, just as you love those closest to you despite their faults

Passive-aggressive people have not developed enough trust in others to be truly open. In fact, they shun opportunities to reveal who they really are because they feel that there is too much risk that they will lose power if they reveal themselves.

People pleasers, however, tend to overlook the reality that others are responsible

My wife is a sex object. Every time I ask for sex, she objects.

Backstabbing, by the way, is not to be confused with a minor slipup like canceling lunch at the last minute or neglecting to return a phone call.

Backstabbing occurs when you share a confidence with someone at church only to learn later that the person has told your story on the prayer chain.

The underlying problem with many Backstabbers is a lack of self-esteem

Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict. Proverbs 17:1

The first duty of love is to listen. Paul Tillich

When we empty ourselves of our self-centered desires, when we surrender our desire to get our way, we are filled with grace. Each act of kindness improves our relationships. Each act of self-giving love expands our life.

Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody. Samuel Pepys

The most important thing about a family is that all the people in it love each other.