Not cohabitation but consensus constitutes marriage

Not cohabitation but consensus constitutes marriage

In the context of Marcus Tullius Cicero, the statement "Not cohabitation but consensus constitutes marriage" holds significant weight. Cicero, a Roman philosopher, statesman, and orator, believed in the importance of moral virtue and the sanctity of marriage. In his writings, he often emphasized the importance of mutual respect, trust, and understanding in a marriage, rather than mere physical cohabitation.

Cicero believed that marriage was a sacred bond between two individuals based on mutual consent and agreement. He argued that true marriage was not simply a legal or social contract, but a spiritual and emotional union between two people who shared common values, goals, and beliefs. For Cicero, the essence of marriage lay in the shared commitment and understanding between partners, rather than in the mere act of living together.