"The married state, with and without the affection suitable to it, is the completest image of heaven and hell we are capable of receiving in this life"

In this quote, Richard Steele is revealing his belief that marriage is the most precise representation of both paradise and hell that we can experience in our life time. He recommends that the state of being wed, whether with or without the appropriate level of love and affection, incorporates the complete spectrum of delight and suffering that we can experience. This contrast to heaven and hell highlights the intense feelings and intricacies that feature being in a dedicated relationship. It likewise recommends that marital relationship has the power to bring both immense joy and deep discomfort, making it a genuinely extensive and all-encompassing experience.