A gold ring encircled by a metal chain and padlock on bright magenta felt.

Original artwork, not a still

Groucho Marx

Marriage is a wonderful institution...if, of course, you like living in an institution.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The joke begins by calling marriage a wonderful institution, using the word to mean an established social arrangement. It then switches to an institution as a place where people live under restrictions. The apparent compliment becomes a teasing comparison between married life and confinement.

Context reviewed

Share this quote