Marriage is overdone. As long as there are people, people are going to find it interesting.

Augusten Burroughs’ remark, “Marriage is overdone. As long as there are people, people are going to find it interesting,” reflects his characteristic mix of wit and cultural critique. By saying marriage is “overdone,” he suggests that the institution has been analyzed, romanticized, and endlessly discussed in society, literature, and media. Yet, despite its saturation, it continues to capture attention because it remains such a central human arrangement—charged with love, conflict, ritual, and tradition.

The quote points to the enduring fascination people have with marriage, not necessarily because it is rare or mysterious, but because it mirrors so much of human nature. Burroughs implies that even if marriage has been talked about endlessly, it will always feel relevant since it embodies universal themes of connection, commitment, and often struggle. In his view, it is “overdone” but never exhausted.

The origin of this statement lies in Burroughs’ role as a memoirist and satirist, best known for works like Running with Scissors. He frequently blends dark humor with social commentary, challenging cultural norms and exposing contradictions in everyday life. His reflections on marriage often stem from his own unconventional experiences and his skepticism toward idealized portrayals of relationships.

At its core, the quote is both playful and perceptive: marriage may be an old story, endlessly retold, yet it continues to generate interest because it speaks to the timeless drama of human relationships. Burroughs reminds us that even “overdone” subjects retain power when they tap into the universal human condition.

Would you like me to expand this into a comparison with how other writers—like Oscar Wilde or Dorothy Parker—also used wit to critique the institution of marriage?