There is no subject on which more dangerous nonsense is talked and thought than marriage.

In this quote, George Bernard Shaw, the renowned Irish playwright and critic, critiques the societal views and misconceptions surrounding marriage. Shaw suggests that marriage, as an institution, is often misunderstood and that much of the discourse about it is filled with "dangerous nonsense." This could refer to the idealized or traditional notions of marriage that often ignore the complexities of relationships and the individuality of the people involved. Shaw is known for challenging conventional ideas, and in this case, he highlights the gap between societal expectations of marriage and its reality.

By describing marriage as the subject of "dangerous nonsense," Shaw is likely commenting on the unrealistic expectations that people place on marriage, such as the idea that it will always lead to happiness, fulfillment, or perfection. He may be criticizing the way society often elevates marriage as the ultimate goal for personal achievement, especially for women, and the unrealistic fantasies that surround it. Shaw was a strong advocate for individuality and personal freedom, and he believed that the traditional views of marriage, as a social institution, often stifled those ideals.

Shaw’s critique also touches on the gender roles and expectations associated with marriage, particularly in his time, when women were often seen as bound to the domestic sphere through the institution. His quote suggests that marriage is sometimes viewed as a panacea for life's difficulties, but in reality, it can be a source of conflict, disappointment, and repression when people fail to acknowledge its complexities. In this light, the "nonsense" refers to the overly simplistic, idealized view that many hold about marriage as a solution to life’s problems.

Ultimately, Shaw’s quote challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding marriage and advocates for a more realistic and nuanced understanding of what it entails. Rather than seeing it as a universal or unproblematic ideal, Shaw encourages a more critical and thoughtful reflection on the nature and purpose of marriage, free from the societal pressures and myths that often surround it.