The problem with marriage is that it ends every night after making love, and it must be rebuilt every morning before breakfast.

In this quote, Gabriel García Márquez, the renowned Colombian author, offers a reflection on the complexity and fragility of marriage. He suggests that the problem with marriage lies in its cyclical nature, where the connection and bond between partners feel as if they need to be rebuilt continuously. According to Márquez, after a night of intimacy, a marriage doesn't automatically endure; instead, it requires active effort to maintain the emotional and physical connection each day, symbolized by the idea of rebuilding it "every morning before breakfast."

The metaphor of marriage "ending every night" after making love underscores the idea that even in moments of intimacy, marriage is never static. It’s not a one-time commitment but something that must be constantly nurtured and renewed. By describing this daily rebuilding process, Márquez speaks to the effort, attention, and care that are required for a marriage to thrive, implying that a successful marriage is more than just the romantic moments—it’s about the continual work that partners must put in to stay connected, even after life's challenges.

Márquez’s perspective also reflects the impermanence of human relationships. By comparing marriage to something that must be rebuilt each day, he highlights the fragility of love and companionship, suggesting that it requires constant vigilance and mutual effort. This view resonates with his broader literary themes, where human experiences are often marked by intensity, passion, and the need for constant reinvention in relationships.

Ultimately, this quote presents a realistic yet poignant take on marriage, emphasizing that while love and intimacy are important, the true strength of a marriage lies in the consistent effort to reconnect and rekindle the bond every day. Márquez reminds us that enduring partnerships require ongoing commitment and a recognition that love is a living, evolving entity rather than a fixed achievement.