One has never known a good man to whom dogs were not dear; but many of the best women have no such fondness. You will find that the woman who is really kind to dogs is always one who has failed to inspire sympathy in men. For the attractive woman, dogs are mere dumb and restless brutes - possibly dangerous, certainly soulless. Yet will coquetry teach her to caress any dog in the presence of a man enslaved by her.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author claims women who are kind to dogs often fail to attract men, while attractive women use dogs to impress men.
- In plain terms
- Kind women love dogs, but attractive women only like them to please men.
- What can you take from it?
- Motivations for kindness can be influenced by social expectations.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do motives matter in kindness?
- How do gender roles affect pets?
Another view
This generalization overlooks individual differences and modern views on gender.
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