Constancy

From Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns...

There is a part about the parents of Laila (one of two key characters) - Babi and Mammy - and their relationship after the death of Laila's two brothers fighting for the Mujahideen. Mammy goes into a sort of self-imposed shell and becomes completely detached from her day-to-day obligations, while the war is becoming worse all around. Babi is really worried about the family's safety and wishes to move them out to Pakistan and a new life, but his feeble entreaties get him nowhere as Mammy is set on staying behind in the watan where her sons lost their lives. Babi resolves to stay on by Mammy's side.

Laila remarks to herself that Mammy has always accused Babi of being a man of no conviction. If only Mammy would look into a mirror, she would see Babi's one conviction right there - herself.

To say that an absolute belief in the constancy of a marital relationship, and an immutable devotion to the spouse irrespective of the circumstances are commendable ends in themselves...