That as my sister-in-law at Colchester had said, beauty…
““That as my sister-in-law at Colchester had said, beauty, wit, manners, sense, good humour, good behaviour, education, virtue, piety, or any other qualification, whether of body or mind, had no power to recommend; that money only made a woman agreeable; that men chose mistresses indeed by the gust of their affection, and it was requisite to a whore to be handsome, well-shaped, have a good mien and a graceful behaviour; but that for a wife, no deformity would shock the fancy, no ill qualities the judgment; the money was the thing; the portion was neither crooked nor monstrous, but the money was always agreeable, whatever the wife was.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage critiques how women's value is reduced to wealth and appearance, highlighting societal hypocrisy that prioritizes money over virtue.
In simple terms: Women are judged by money and looks, not character.
Key Takeaway
Challenge materialistic judgments of worth.
Themes
gender inequality
materialism
social critique
hypocrisy
Mood
critical
reflective
analytical
Type
sociological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- gender studies
- social commentary
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
feminist theory
economic power dynamics
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we still value wealth over character?
- What steps can shift focus to inner virtues?
A Different Perspective
It reflects historical attitudes that may still influence modern views.