I agree with the late William Cobbett about picking a…
““I agree with the late William Cobbett about picking a wife. See that she chews her food well and sets her foot down firmly on the ground when she walks, and you're all right. Selina Goby was all right in both these respects, which was one reason for marrying her. I had another reason, likewise, entirely of my own discovering. Selina, being a single woman, made me pay so much a week for her board and services. Selina, being my wife, couldn't charge for her board, and would have to give me her services for nothing. That was the point of view I looked at it from. Economy - with a dash of love.””
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 rationalizes marrying for financial gain, viewing his wife as a cost‑saving arrangement rather than a partner.
In simple terms: He marries for economic benefit, not love.
Key Takeaway
Question the ethics of transactional relationships.
Themes
marriage
economics
gender roles
materialism
pragmatism
Mood
reflective
critical
ironic
Type
literary
philosophical
social
When to use this quote
- arranged marriage
- financial planning
- domestic partnership
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
transactional marriage
social contract
gender expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- Is love compatible with financial convenience?
- What are the moral costs of treating a spouse as an expense?
A Different Perspective
Love and respect may be overlooked when profit dominates.