Reflections on Marriage by Socrates

In 2008, a chance encounter with *The Collected Works of Socrates* sparked inspiration, leading me to attempt translations and creatively titled them *In Memoriam of Socrates*.

Original Text:

On Marriage

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.

You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.

Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.

Give one another of your bread but eat not of the same loaf.

Sing and dance together, and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,

even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.

For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

Statement:

The author 'The Diligent Citizen's Note' presents an original work. Please cite Toutiao self-media author's origin when reprinting.