The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her if she is pretty and to someone else if she is plain.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A woman’s treatment depends on her appearance: love if pretty, otherwise with someone else.
- In plain terms
- Treat women differently based on looks—love if pretty, otherwise not.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid judging people by appearance.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What harms arise from valuing looks over character?
- Can society move beyond such double standards?
Another view
The statement is a satirical exaggeration, not a serious guide.
More from Oscar Wilde
Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone.
Permalink to quote #146 Ah! That must be Aunt Augusta. Only relatives, or creditors, ever ring in that Wagnerian manner.
Permalink to quote #148 Really, if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them?
Permalink to quote #145
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