Marriage, it seems, confines every man to his proper rank

Marriage, it seems, confines every man to his proper rank

Jean de La Bruyère, a 17th-century French philosopher and moralist, once famously said, “Marriage, it seems, confines every man to his proper rank.” This statement reflects the societal norms and expectations surrounding marriage during his time, as well as the idea that marriage serves as a way to maintain social order and hierarchy.

During La Bruyère’s era, marriage was not just a union between two individuals, but also a means of solidifying social status and preserving the existing social structure. In this context, marriage was seen as a way to ensure that individuals stayed within their “proper rank” in society. It was believed that marrying within one’s social class was essential to maintaining social harmony and preventing social upheaval.