"Never take a wife till thou hast a house (and a fire) to put her in"

This quote by Benjamin Franklin suggests that a person must not consider getting married until they have actually established a proper house and a safe source of income, shown by the phrase "a fire". Simply put, it is very important to have stability and the ability to offer oneself and one's household before devoting to marriage. This was likely very crucial in Franklin's time where social standards dictated that a man was anticipated to provide for his better half and family. Today, the quote can still be analyzed as a suggestion that financial stability and a protected house are essential factors to consider prior to starting a long-lasting dedication such as marriage.