Hints for Lovers | Page 6

the offspring of her womb. Never is she more womanly, never so strong, never so quite, never so self-contained, never so completely herself, and never so beautify when bending over her helpless infant son. And naturally: for say what one will,
Motherhood is the goal of womanhood. And
Howsoever she comes by it, a woman's burthen is always to her "That Holy Thing". So
No one knows what a woman is like till she is a mother. In other words
Motherhood reveals womanhood. And, be it remembered,
There be childless women--both spinsters and wives--who could mother mankind in their bosoms. Such women wield great influence. For
Many a mere man there is has owed his all to a motherly woman.
* * *
Nor speech, not restore, nor expression of feature, nor all combined, will ever reveal the real feelings of a woman. To unbosom herself is impossible to woman. Do not expect it, for
Definite and accurate utterance is not given to woman.
* * *
The chief business of woman is: first, to get married; second, to get others married.
* * *
It is difficult to say which have played the greater havoc among men: the women with too much conscience, or the woman with none.
* * *
When a woman repulses, beware. When a woman beckons, be warier.
* * *
Woman are always prepared for emergencies.
* * *
With woman, tact and jealousy rarely go hand in hand; tact and spite never.
The only instance in which a woman's tact is apt to be at fault is in detraction of a woman whom she regards as her rival;
The instance in which a woman's tact is seen as its best is in deploying the men who she knows are rivals for her hand. And usually
When a woman has more than one admirer, she not only deploys them, but tries to make them advance en echelon. For
Few things disconcert a woman more than a multiple and simultaneous attack delivered front a front. But
The way in which a woman will maneuver her attackers is marvelous.
* * *
They say a woman cannot argue. Hear her explain an indiscretion!
* * *
An independent woman is a contradiction in terms. For Woman's chief want is to feel that she is wanted. Therefore it is that
With women, cruelty is more easily borne than coldness. Indeed, It is astonishing how much downright cruelty a woman will stand from the man she loves or has loved. On the other hand,
Melancholy also attracts women. Naturally,
Women are made to soothe, to pity, to comfort, to delight. Therefore it is that
To see a strong man in a weak woman's arms is a sight which should arouse --not our laughter, but our(1) envy. So it does.
(1) Common Gender
* * *
Let not the simpleton think a woman will sympathize with his simplicity:
No woman is a simpleton.
What women admire is a subtle combination of forcefulness and gentleness.
If a woman has to choose between forcefulness and gentleness, always she will sacrifice the latter. And
It is astonishing to what lengths forcefulness can go without endangering a woman's admiration. If it sweeps her off her feet. . . well,
In nothing does a woman so clearly exhibit the inherent femininity of her nature as in the delight with which, at the bottom of her heart, she recalls moments when she has been swept off her feet. She may sigh over them; but
Generally, a woman's sighs are by no means those of remorse. A woman never brings pure reason to bear upon her actions; she acts by sentiment 40 and she judges her acts by sentiment. This is why
Even when a woman has deceived and betrayed, she does not regard herself culpable. Always, she says to herself, she was driven to it, and therefore she is blameless. Accordingly
A penitent woman is rare:
Even when a man, with his so-called superior reason, thinks he has proved her wrong, at the bottom of her heart she knows herself right.
* * *
Many have been the discussions as to woman's most powerful weapon. The simple fact is, she is armed cap a pie(2). Indeed, Every woman is a sort of feminine Proteus, not only in the myriad shapes she assumes, but also in her amenability to nothing but superior force. Women form, perhaps, where men are concerned, the single exception to the rule that in union there is strength. One woman often enough is irrepressible; two (be the second her own mother) break the charm an association of women is the feeblest of forces.
(2) Cf. Cowper:
They are all women, and they dart Like Porcupines, from every part. -Anacreontics
* * *
All women are rivals. And this they never forget. Consequently
Mistrust a truce between hostile ladies.
* * *
Amongst women, modesty is of infinitely more potent influence than is ability. Yet
To a woman's modesty ability is a wonderfully enhancing setting. And
Modesty is the most complex and the most varied of emotions. Perhaps
When