Whoever undertakes a long journey, if he be wise, makes it his business to find out an agreeable companion. How cautious then should he be, who is to take a journey for life, whose fellow-traveler must not part with him but at the grave; his companion at bed and board and sharer of all the pleasures and fatigues of his journey, as the wife must be to the husband! She is no such sort of ware, that a man can be rid of when he pleases: when once that is purchased, no exchange, no sale, no alienation can be made.
The quote highlights the importance of choosing a life partner carefully, likening marriage to embarking on a significant journey together. It emphasizes that, unlike casual companions, a spouse is a lifelong partner who shares both joys and hardships. A wise person would seek someone agreeable to accompany them, as this choice affects the entirety of their life journey.
Cervantes warns that a marriage is not something one can easily discard once committed. The bond formed is meant to be permanent, requiring thoughtful consideration before choosing a companion, as the consequences and responsibilities of such a union last until death.
