Five Things That Should Never Be Forgiven in a Marriage


A successful marriage is built on essential principles that cannot be ignored if stability and happiness are to be maintained. Mutual respect, trust, honesty, open communication, and shared responsibilities form the foundation of a healthy relationship. When these principles are neglected, constant tension arises and the continuation of married life may be threatened.

There are certain behaviors that should never be tolerated between spouses. Avoiding them is necessary to ensure a peaceful and loving partnership. In this context, Sayidaty spoke with family relationship expert Manal Khalifa, who identified five critical actions that should never be forgiven in marriage.

A Strong Marriage Is Built on Solid Foundations

Manal Khalifa explains that a stable and successful marriage is based on affection, understanding, mutual respect, forgiveness, and empathy. Marriage is not just about emotions—it is a conscious, human partnership that requires awareness and responsibility.

While love can help partners overlook minor mistakes and interpret them positively, there are serious violations that break trust and emotional security and cannot be excused. These include physical or psychological abuse, repeated infidelity, constant humiliation or mockery, placing one’s partner last, and unethical behavior. Such actions create ongoing stress and may ultimately destroy the relationship.

Five Things That Should Never Be Forgiven in a Marriage

According to Khalifa, the most serious violations revolve around emotional or physical betrayal, abuse, severe disrespect, ongoing deception, and extreme selfishness. These behaviors break trust and often lead to the collapse of the marriage.

1. Infidelity

Infidelity—both emotional and physical—is a direct breach of trust and commitment.

  • Physical infidelity involves unlawful intimate relationships.

  • Emotional infidelity includes forming deep emotional attachments or sharing feelings with a third party outside the marriage.

Both forms cause deep psychological pain, neglect, insecurity, and emotional breakdown. They often result from poor communication, lack of affection, or seeking validation elsewhere. Infidelity is one of the most damaging betrayals and is extremely difficult to forgive, especially if repeated, often increasing the likelihood of divorce.

2. Physical or Emotional Abuse

Abuse is a pattern of harmful and controlling behaviors.

  • Physical abuse includes hitting, causing injuries, bruises, fractures, or using weapons.

  • Emotional or psychological abuse includes threats, humiliation, insults, isolation, and manipulation intended to control or break the partner’s will.

Both forms are destructive violations that cause serious emotional and physical harm and undermine the safety and stability of the marriage.

3. Systematic Lying and Deception

Constant lying and cheating destroy the foundation of trust. Deliberately hiding truths or manipulating facts to gain advantages or avoid consequences threatens family stability.

Examples include hiding illnesses, financial problems, past marriages, children, personal flaws, or emotional affairs. Since marriage is built on honesty and transparency, such deception leads to resentment, psychological harm, and often becomes a major reason relationships end.

4. Revealing Private Matters and Secrets

Sharing marital secrets with others is considered a betrayal of trust. Privacy is a cornerstone of intimacy and respect.

Disclosing personal details or conflicts to family members or friends—whether during the relationship or after separation—violates the sanctity of the home. Private matters should remain between the couple to protect the relationship from outside interference and negative consequences.

5. Lack of Appreciation and Responsibility

A lack of appreciation and failure to take responsibility are among the main causes of marital breakdown.

Ignoring a partner’s needs, showing selfishness, withholding support, and neglecting family duties weaken trust and self-worth. When only one partner carries the burden of responsibility, the other may become careless, leading to feelings of exploitation and resentment. Over time, love fades and the relationship turns into a constant conflict.

Final Thought

Forgiveness plays an important role in every marriage, but some boundaries must remain firm. A healthy relationship cannot survive without respect, honesty, and emotional safety. Protecting these values is essential for building a lasting and loving partnership.


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