Sometimes a woman's love of being loved gets the better of her conscience, and though she is agonized at the thought of treating a man cruelly, she encourages him to love her while she doesn't love him at all. Then, when she sees him suffering, her remorse sets in, and she does what she can to repair the wrong.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A woman may prioritize the pleasure of being loved over her moral integrity, leading her to accept affection she cannot return. This causes pain for the suitor and guilt for her when she witnesses his suffering.
- In plain terms
- She lets him love her because she likes being admired, even though she does not love him back, which hurts him later.
- What can you take from it?
- Accepting affection you cannot return damages both parties.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does enjoying attention cross into cruelty?
- How do you repair harm caused by indifference?
Another view
It ignores the possibility that feelings might develop over time.
More from Thomas Hardy
Their lives were ruined, he thought; ruined by the fundamental error of their matrimonial union: that of having based a permanent contract on a temporary feeli…
Permalink to quote #62 Done because we are too menny.
Permalink to quote #64 But nobody did come, because nobody does; and under the crushing recognition of his gigantic error Jude continued to wish himself out of the world.
Permalink to quote #61
Related quotes
It was the men I deceived the most that I loved the most.
Marguerite DurasMarguerite Duras quote #2 I can't hold on very long Forgive me, pretty baby, but I always take the long way home
Norah JonesNorah Jones quote #10 When one is in love, one always begins by deceiving one's self, and one always ends by deceiving others.
Oscar WildeOscar Wilde quote #79