Other related topics at:
Families
462. Celibacy; Charity; Involvement;
Marriage; Stoicism; Solitude
"To live without feeling or exciting sympathy, to be fortunate
without adding to the felicity of others, or afflicted without
tasting the balm of pity, is a state more gloomy than solitude;
it is not retreat, but exclusion from mankind. Marriage has many
pains, but celibacy has no pleasures."
Johnson: Rasselas [Princess Nekayah]
Note: If you haven't read it yet, please read this note of caution regarding quotes from
Rasselas.
Link