I wonder what made me think of this? A very very old friend of mine, on his second marriage, constantly tells me that he's become resigned to the idea that marriage is hard work.

"You've got to compromise, keep your mouth shut, surf the bad times, think about the kids. Don't flirt with other people, don't think about what you might have had, don't pick fights, don't be drawn into a fight. Learn to cook. Learn to read in the dark. Learn to defer."

All very good advice. But mine is simpler.

Marry someone you adore.

You've got to be lucky to do it, but it works every time.