Women who are never bitter and resentful are often the…
““Women who are never bitter and resentful are often the most querulous; and if Solomon was as wise as he is reputed to be, I feel sure that when he compared a contentious woman to a continual dropping on a very rainy day, he had not a vixen in his eye — a fury with long nails, acrid and selfish. Depend upon it, he meant a good creature, who had no joy but in the happiness of the loved ones whom she contributed to make uncomfortable, putting by all the tid-bits for them and spending nothing on herself. Such a woman as Lisbeth, for example — at once patient and complaining, self-renouncing and exacting, brooding the livelong day over what happened yesterday and what is likely to happen to-morrow, and crying very readily both at the good and the evil. But a certain awe mingled itself with her idolatrous love of Adam, and when he said, “Leave me alone,” she was always silenced.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A woman who appears selfless and devoted may also be demanding and resentful, showing that love can coexist with bitterness and self‑sacrifice.
In simple terms: Self‑sacrificing love can hide resentment.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden complexities in relationships.
Themes
gender
relationships
psychology
Mood
thoughtful
melancholic
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- family dynamics
- literary analysis
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Self‑sacrifice
resentment
dual nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What signs reveal hidden resentment?
- How can partners address unspoken grievances?
A Different Perspective
Idealizing selfless love ignores personal needs.