Marriage

During their 50th anniversary wedding celebration at a banquet in their
honor, my Dad was asked to give a brief account of the benefits achieved
from being married for so long.

My father stood up, thought for a long moment, then said, "Well, I've
learned that marriage is the best teacher of all. It teaches you loyalty,
meekness, forbearance, self-restraint, forgiveness, and...." he paused.

"And?" someone cried out from the back of the room.

"...and a great many other qualities you wouldn't have needed if you'd
stayed single!" my father exclaimed.

The room erupted in laughter.