18. (a) Into what negative habit do some spouses fall? (b) How should a Christian husband act?

¹⁸ Another way in which a husband can show love and respect for his wife is by showing and expressing appreciation for her and her qualities.

There is no closer neighbor than a husband or a wife.

21. What can husbands do to encourage their wives?

²¹ Therefore, a loving Christian husband will manifest appreciation for his wife by words and deeds. As an anonymous poet expressed it:

“Amid the cares of married strife

In spite of toil and business life

If you value your dear wife—

Tell her so! . . .

You are hers and hers alone;

Well you know she’s all your own;

Don’t wait to carve it on a stone—

Tell her so!”

These sentiments are clearly supported by ancient King Lemuel’s mother. In part, she described the ideal wife in these words: “Her sons with one accord call her happy; her husband too, and he sings her praises: ‘Many a woman shows how capable she is; but you excel them all.’” (Proverbs 31:1, 28, 29, The New English Bible) Husbands, do you regularly praise your wives, or was that only for courtship?

22, 23. On what is a successful marriage based?

²² From this brief consideration, it is evident that for a husband to show love and respect in his marriage, it is not enough just to bring home the wages. A successful marriage is based on a loving, loyal, and considerate relationship. (1 Peter 3:8, 9) As the years pass by, this relationship should deepen as husband and wife appreciate each other’s virtues and strengths and learn to overlook and forgive each other’s weaknesses.​—Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-14.

²³ If the husband takes the lead in showing love and respect, the whole family will be blessed.