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Let men tremble to win the hand of woman, unless they win…

“Let men tremble to win the hand of woman, unless they win along with it the utmost passion of her heart! Else it may be their miserable fortune, when some mightier touch than their own may have awakened all her sensibilities, to be reproached even for the calm content, the marble image of…” quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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“Let men tremble to win the hand of woman, unless they win along with it the utmost passion of her heart! Else it may be their miserable fortune, when some mightier touch than their own may have awakened all her sensibilities, to be reproached even for the calm content, the marble image of happiness, which they will have imposed upon her as the warm reality.”

Nathaniel Hawthorne

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A man must earn a woman's love through genuine passion, not just pursuit, lest he lose her to a stronger rival.

In simple terms: Earn love by matching her deepest feelings.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate true emotional connection.

Themes

love passion competition relationships

Mood

reflective cautionary

Type

philosophical romantic

When to use this quote

  • courtship
  • marriage
  • relationship building
  • self‑improvement

Key Concepts

romantic idealism emotional authenticity jealousy

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you value genuine feeling over conquest?
  • How can you ensure mutual passion?
A Different Perspective

If passion is unreciprocated, the effort may backfire.

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