The following is an excerpt from a post over at the Art of Manliness (AoM, a site that I love).
How great is this quote “Keep your eyes wide open before marriage; half closed afterwards”
Before you make the momentous decision, you would do well to ponder the questions in this chapter. Obviously, you will not be objective; but it is of the utmost importance that you make the effort. To compensate for your prejudice, be extra hard in judging her…
- She is attractive, of course, but is that her chief asset? (Try to imagine her ten years from today.)
- Do you want her because she is popular–because other men have wanted her? (Don’t be a copy-cat!)
- Could you spend seven consecutive evenings in her company without being bored? (If the answer is affirmative, it is a good sign.)
- Do you have similar tastes in most things?
- Is she a good sport?
- Is she reasonably healthy?
- Is she a flirt? Does she make you jealous? (Decide whether you can stand the strain; your jealously will persist until you grow indifferent.)
- Are you constantly irritated by some small mannerism of hers? (You can’t be terribly in love.)
- Does she tell lies? Do you mind?
- Is she a nag?
- Is she quarrelsome? (The Bible warns, “It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than with a brawling woman in a wide house.”)
- Is she hard on other people? (Don’t judge by her behavior to you.)
- Is she trying to reform you? How do you feel about being reformed?
- Has she tried to boss you? (Maybe you need a boss.)
- Would she put up with all your faults if she knew them?
- When you quarrel, who capitulates first? (A combination of two stubborn mules is bad.)
- Do you agree on children, or a career, or both? (Better settle this beforehand.)
- Does she expect you to support her in a definite style? Could you count on her cooperation in hard times? Would she go to work if necessary?
- Will she help you get ahead? Or will she pull you away from your work?
- Can she handle money?
- If you marry her, will you also be marrying her family?
- Does she let you get around to see your old pals? (If you have been too infatuated to notice, make it a point of finding out.)
- Are you proud to present her to your friends? (If not, reconsider.)
- Do you hope to reform her? (Give up the idea. People change, but not according to plan.)
- Do you know her faults? Are you willing to live with them?
- Do you still think her perfect? (You’re wrong, of course, but marry!)
