"Marriage must incessantly contend with a monster that devours everything: familiarity"

In this quote, Honore de Balzac is highlighting the challenges that come with marital relationship. He compares marital relationship to a constant battle with a monster that takes in whatever in its course. This monster is familiarity, which can often cause complacency and boredom in a marriage. Balzac suggests that the key to an effective marriage is to continuously battle against this monster by keeping things fresh and amazing. Without this effort, familiarity can gradually erode the love and passion in a marital relationship. Balzac's words serve as a suggestion to couples to never ever take each other for given and to constantly aim to keep the spark alive in their relationship.