Discipline Quote by George Eliot
“To think of the part one little woman can play in the life of a man, so that to renounce her may be a very good imitation of heroism, and to win her may be a discipline.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Middlemarch by George Eliot, 1871
A woman's modest influence can be profound; rejecting her is seen as heroic, yet gaining her requires self‑discipline.
In simple terms: A small woman's role can be powerful; gaining her needs discipline.
Key Takeaway
Respect and pursue her influence wisely.
Themes
gender roles
influence
heroism
discipline
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- marriage
- career advancement
- personal growth
- relationship building
Key Concepts
feminist thought
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does society value women's subtle contributions?
- What does true heroism look like in relationships?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook the woman's agency and reduce her to a tool.
![“I remember realizing, when I did Little Women [1994], that that was the only time girls that age were being written about. It was always boys - from David Copperfield to Lord of the Flies to Holden Caulfield. There were never young women going through adolescence or teen years; there were only…” quote by Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/666/winona-ryder-1469_adolescence_i-remember-realizing-when-i-did-little-w_41784.jpg)
![“[W]e must learn to accommodate ourselves to the discovery that some of those cunningly-fashioned instruments called human souls have only a very limited range of music, and will not vibrate in the least under a touch that fills others with tremulous rapture or quivering agony.” quote by George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9be/george-eliot-84_agony_w-e-must-learn-to-accommodate-ourselves_12409.jpg)
