Married to-day, marred to-morrow.
Married to-day, marred to-morrow.
Meaning in plain English
The hopeful beginning of a marriage does not guarantee that the relationship will go well. The source’s cynical contrast invites attention to continuing conduct, rather than a prediction that marriage must fail.
Example
A couple plans every detail of a wedding but postpones discussing household responsibilities. Afterwards they agree a routine and revisit it when their circumstances change, rather than treating the ceremony as the whole task.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The play between married and marred compresses a large change into a day. That exaggeration gives the warning its force: a public commitment and an enjoyable occasion cannot settle how people will treat one another afterwards. A careful reading focuses on the difference between starting a relationship and maintaining it. Expectations, practical responsibilities and communication still need attention. The wording is too absolute to describe all marriages, and it provides no evidence that a particular couple will be unhappy or that difficulties are caused by one gender.
When to use it
Use it cautiously to discuss the work that follows a hopeful beginning.
Keep in mind
The saying expresses a pessimistic historical judgment, not a universal finding about marriage or advice to stay in an unsafe relationship.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs (1857)
Printed page 6; French section, paragraph 118; source wording: Aujourd’hui marié, demain marri.
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗