God preserve you, my dear boy, from ever asking…
““God preserve you, my dear boy, from ever asking forgiveness for a fault from a woman you love. From one you love especially, however greatly you may have been in fault. For a woman--devil only knows what to make of a woman: I know something about them, anyway. But try acknowledging you are in fault to a woman. Say, "I am sorry, forgive me," and a shower of reproaches will follow! Nothing will make her forgive you simply and directly, she'll humble you to the dust, bring forward things that have never happened, recall everything, forget nothing, add something of her own, and only then forgive you. And even the best, the best of them do it. She'll scrape up all the scrapings and load them on your head. They are ready to flay you alive, I tell you, every one of them, all these angels without whom we cannot live! I tell you plainly and openly, dear boy, every decent man ought to be under some woman's thumb. That's my conviction--not conviction, but feeling. A man ought to be magnanimous, and it's no disgrace to a man! No disgrace to a hero, not even a Caesar! But don't ever beg her pardon all the same for anything...””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker warns that admitting fault to a loved woman invites endless reproach, suggesting men should accept a woman's dominance without pleading for forgiveness.
In simple terms: Men should endure women's authority without begging forgiveness.
Key Takeaway
Accepting fault to a women leads to relentless criticism.
Themes
gender dynamics
power imbalance
humility
masculinity
relationship conflict
Mood
cynical
reflective
skeptical
Type
philosophical
advice
cautionary
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- friendship advice
- personal growth workshops
- literary analysis
- counseling sessions
Key Concepts
male pride
female agency
forgiveness
social expectations
Practical Applications
- relationship counseling
- self‑help literature
Questions to Reflect On
- How does power affect forgiveness?
- Can humility coexist with equality?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that mutual accountability, not submission, fosters healthy relationships.