Of all the various kinds of sexual intercourse, this has…
““Of all the various kinds of sexual intercourse, this has the least to recommend it. As an amusement, it is too fleeting; as an occupation, it is too wearing; as a public exhibition, there is no money in it. It is unsuited to the drawing room, and in the most cultured society it has long been banished from the social board. It has at last, in our day of progress and improvement, been degraded to brotherhood with flatulence. Among the best bred, these two arts are now indulged in only private--though by consent of the whole company, when only males are present, it is still permissible, in good society, to remove the embargo on the fundamental sigh.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Criticizes sexual activity as fleeting, labor‑intensive, and socially unprofitable, suggesting it belongs only to private, consensual contexts among men.
In simple terms: Sex is seen as unproductive and socially inappropriate.
Key Takeaway
Question the value and social role of sexual activity.
Themes
morality
societal norms
sexuality
Mood
cynical
satirical
Type
literary
critical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- social gatherings
- cultural critiques
Key Concepts
privacy
social etiquette
gender dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- Is sexual activity inherently unproductive?
- How do cultural norms shape views on intimacy?
A Different Perspective
May reflect outdated Victorian attitudes.