--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Unfortunately, she discovered too late…" description: "\"“Unfortunately, she discovered too late that her unwritten list of desirable attributes was missing a few crucial items. Empathy, for one. A willingnes..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2e/delphine-dryden-34390_attributes_unfortunately-she-discovered-too-late-th_2184770.jpg" --- # Unfortunately, she discovered too late that her unwritten… ![“Unfortunately, she discovered too late that her unwritten list of desirable attributes was missing a few crucial items. Empathy, for one. A willingness to change his own life plan in order to accommodate somebody else's goals, for another. A sense of humor that extended past joke telling, to…” quote by Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2e/delphine-dryden-34390_attributes_unfortunately-she-discovered-too-late-th_2184770.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2e/delphine-dryden-34390_attributes_unfortunately-she-discovered-too-late-th_2184770.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2e/delphine-dryden-34390_attributes_unfortunately-she-discovered-too-late-th_2184770.jpg) > ““Unfortunately, she discovered too late that her unwritten list of desirable attributes was missing a few crucial items. Empathy, for one. A willingness to change his own life plan in order to accommodate somebody else's goals, for another. A sense of humor that extended past joke telling, to encompass an appreciation of life's absurdities. And lastly, but possibly most important of all, a capacity for intimacy.”” [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She realized too late that her partner lacked key qualities like empathy, flexibility, humor, and intimacy, which are essential for a healthy relationship. **In simple terms:** Missing empathy, flexibility, humor, intimacy hurt love. Key Takeaway Seek partners with those traits. Themes relationships personal growth empathy Mood reflective thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - dating - marriage - friendship - team projects Key Concepts emotional intelligence compatibility humor Questions to Reflect On - What qualities do you value most? - How can you develop these traits in yourself? A Different Perspective Even with these traits, relationships still need effort and communication. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Life Plan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-plan/) [Romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romance/) [Sense of humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-humor/) [Too late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-late/) [Willingness to change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willingness-to-change/) ## Related quotes > [“The difference between humility and humiliation is willingness. Ultimately, it's not for them. It's for me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-hart/the-difference-between-humility-and-humiliation-is-willingness/) Rob Hart > [Sometimes our ability to accept what we can't change is tied to our willingness to change what we can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-crawford/sometimes-our-ability-to-accept-what-we-can-t-change-is-tied-to-our/) [Bill Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-crawford/) > [“In the lives of individuals, just as in society at large, the profoundest changes take place within a very reduced time frame. When we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/in-the-lives-of-individuals-just-as-in-society-at-large-the/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/when-we-least-expect-it-life-sets-us-a-challenge-to-test-our-courage-2/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Willingness to change is a strength, even if it means plunging part of the company into total confusion for a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/willingness-to-change-is-a-strength-even-if-it-means-plunging-part-of/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [“New languages are not something you can pick up overnight. They take time. Patience. The willingness to change the way you think about what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brody/new-languages-are-not-something-you-can-pick-up-overnight-they-take/) [Jessica Brody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brody/) > [No matter what is happening in our lives, we choose how we wish to think about it. And the greatest gift we give ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/no-matter-what-is-happening-in-our-lives-we-choose-how-we-wish-to/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Franklin Delano Roosevelt eventually became the greatest liberal leader of 20th century United States, but he started as a fiscal conservative. His greatness is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-banerjee/franklin-delano-roosevelt-eventually-became-the-greatest-liberal/) [Abhijit Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-banerjee/) > [“Remember your customers appreciate efficiency and convenience and those two become achievable through innovation and willingness to change with time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pooja-agnihotri/remember-your-customers-appreciate-efficiency-and-convenience-and/) [Pooja Agnihotri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pooja-agnihotri/) > [When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-we-least-expect-it-life-sets-us-a-challenge-to-test-our-courage/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“He’d read that being in an adult relationship means having a willingness to change. Knowing when you’re wrong and owning up to it—that’s the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-ryan-stradal/he-d-read-that-being-in-an-adult-relationship-means-having-a/) J. Ryan Stradal > [Everybody says, 'I want to change,' but they're not willing to pay the price of it. That was the metaphor of 'Life's Golden Ticket'...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendon-burchard/everybody-says-i-want-to-change-but-they-re-not-willing-to-pay-the/) [Brendon Burchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendon-burchard/) > [“My willingness to change creates miracles in my life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daily-affirmations/my-willingness-to-change-creates-miracles-in-my-life/) Daily Affirmations > [If you have these two things - the willingness to change, and the acceptance of everything as it comes, you will have all you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-selver/if-you-have-these-two-things-the-willingness-to-change-and-the/) [Charlotte Selver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-selver/) > [The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/the-challenge-will-not-wait-life-does-not-look-back-a-week-is-more/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) ## More by Delphine Dryden > [“Making love - having sex - with James had been like discovering a lie of omission. She had become more aware of things because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/making-love-having-sex-with-james-had-been-like-discovering-a-lie-of/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“Allison?' 'Mmmm?' 'You do realize I'm in love with you? Right?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/allison-mmmm-you-do-realize-i-m-in-love-with-you-right/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“Um...we should have fewer pants on. This would be a great pants-free situation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/um-we-should-have-fewer-pants-on-this-would-be-a-great-pants-free/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“Everything. That’s what I’m feeling. I just want to remember everything about this exact moment. The way I can still smell you and taste…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/everything-that-s-what-i-m-feeling-i-just-want-to-remember-everything/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“Sense memories of you persist and do not seem to abate as the day progresses. It’s disconcerting, Camilla. I don’t like it when my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/sense-memories-of-you-persist-and-do-not-seem-to-abate-as-the-day/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“You see,” he explained patiently after they both recovered their wits, “I’m quite fatally in love with you. And it has recently come to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/you-see-he-explained-patiently-after-they-both-recovered-their-wits-i/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“In the fantasy I spun for myself that night before falling asleep, those deep dark secrets were revealed. That simple touch became a violent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/in-the-fantasy-i-spun-for-myself-that-night-before-falling-asleep/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“Camilla, you…my God,” he whispered against my skin, his voice sounding oddly strained. “Sweetheart, do you even know? You’re so perfect and you don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/camilla-you-my-god-he-whispered-against-my-skin-his-voice-sounding/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“Two arguing geeks were stoppable. Three arguing geeks created an infinite argument vortex of doom that sucked time down like a black hole.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/two-arguing-geeks-were-stoppable-three-arguing-geeks-created-an/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“In the National Geographic movie of my twisted mind, the lion had just leaped on the gazelle, pinned it to the ground and mounted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/in-the-national-geographic-movie-of-my-twisted-mind-the-lion-had-just/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“But one cannot avenge a death, not really. One can only try to honor the memory of the dead by furthering their life's work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/but-one-cannot-avenge-a-death-not-really-one-can-only-try-to-honor/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“Girlfriend doesn’t seem like the right word for what you mean to me. Probably that’s what I should be calling you to other people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/girlfriend-doesn-t-seem-like-the-right-word-for-what-you-mean-to-me/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) > [“... he would apologize. He would say all the right things. But he just didn't get it. The next time, nothing would have changed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-dryden/he-would-apologize-he-would-say-all-the-right-things-but-he-just-didn/) [Delphine Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) [Explore all 14 Delphine Dryden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-dryden/) ## More Attributes quotes > [Lutherans, whose arguments and mistakes will not be difficult to contest or discover, do not want to attribute any value to works, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-servetus/lutherans-whose-arguments-and-mistakes-will-not-be-difficult-to/) [Michael Servetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-servetus/) > [If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to a semi-official statement; if they have fallen into conversation with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/if-for-instance-they-have-heard-something-from-the-postman-they/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [I think the greatest imagination we can exercise is one that imagines how someone else feels. Because you know how you feel, but so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-gelbart/i-think-the-greatest-imagination-we-can-exercise-is-one-that-imagines/) [Larry Gelbart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-gelbart/) > [A lover asked his beloved, Do you love yourself more than you love me? Beloved replied, I have died to myself and I live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-lover-asked-his-beloved-do-you-love-yourself-more-than-you-love-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of the greatest attributes of jazz, I think, is that it is that open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-hancock/one-of-the-greatest-attributes-of-jazz-i-think-is-that-it-is-that-open/) [Herbie Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-hancock/) > [God is compassionate and just, loving and holy, wrathful and forgiving. WE can't sideline His more difficult attributes to make room for the palatable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/god-is-compassionate-and-just-loving-and-holy-wrathful-and-forgiving/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [I'm Irish and always will be, but America has taught me so much. Maybe it's here in the U.S. that we find a healing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fionnula-flanagan/i-m-irish-and-always-will-be-but-america-has-taught-me-so-much-maybe/) [Fionnula Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fionnula-flanagan/) > [“It is this spirit of godliness that will bring forth the attributes, the principles and the life style of godliness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/it-is-this-spirit-of-godliness-that-will-bring-forth-the-attributes/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [My Calvinism persuades me that we are open to God, in the sense that we are not delimited, not organisms with fixed attributes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/my-calvinism-persuades-me-that-we-are-open-to-god-in-the-sense-that/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery-th e strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/a-pivotal-spiritual-attribute-is-that-of-self-mastery-th-e-strength/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [I have often noticed that the two nuclear powers on the Indian subcontinent, India and Pakistan, attribute to Kashmiris an inferior intellect, a lineage,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nyla-ali-khan/i-have-often-noticed-that-the-two-nuclear-powers-on-the-indian/) [Nyla Ali Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nyla-ali-khan/) > [Primarily affecting low-information voters and members of the mainstream media, Obama Worship Syndrome attributes impossible capabilities to Obama's political opponents, finds excuses for every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shapiro/primarily-affecting-low-information-voters-and-members-of-the/) [Ben Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shapiro/) > [Developing Christlike attributes in our lives is not an easy task, especially when we move away from generalities and abstractions and begin to deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/developing-christlike-attributes-in-our-lives-is-not-an-easy-task/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [If I have any attribute that serves me well, it's I don't have a long-range plan in life. I have no idea. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/if-i-have-any-attribute-that-serves-me-well-it-s-i-don-t-have-a-long/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) Browse all 852 Attributes quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Unfortunately, she discovered too late that her unwritten list of desirable attributes was missing a few crucial items. Empathy, for one. A willingness to change his own life plan in order to accommodate somebody else's goals, for another. A sense of humor that extended past joke telling, to encompass an appreciation of life's absurdities. 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