Feminine-intuition Quote by H.L. Mencken
““A man's women folk, whatever their outward show of respect for his merit and authority, always regard him secretly as an ass, and with something akin to pity. His most gaudy sayings and doings seldom deceive them; they see the actual man within, and know him for a shallow and pathetic fellow. In this fact, perhaps, lies one of the best proofs of feminine intelligence, or, as the common phrase makes it, feminine intuition. The marks of that so-called intuition are simply a sharp and accurate perception of reality, a habitual immunity to emotional enchantment, a relentless capacity for distinguishing clearly between the appearance and the substance. The appearance, in the normal family circle, is a hero, a magnifico, a demigod. The substance is a poor mountebank.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Feminine Intuition” in The American Mercury, 1922
Mencken critiques how women perceive men, suggesting they see through pretensions and recognize deeper flaws, attributing this to feminine intuition.
In simple terms: Women often see men’s true nature beyond their outward show.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that appearances can be deceptive.
Themes
gender dynamics
perception
intuition
social critique
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- relationship counseling
- leadership assessment
- personal self‑awareness
Key Concepts
feminine intelligence
critical observation
social roles
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance intuition with evidence?
- When might intuition mislead?
A Different Perspective
Intuition can be biased or misapplied.
![“If there had been any formidable body of cannibals in the country he [Harry Truman] would have promised to provide them with free missionaries, fattened at the taxpayers’ expense.” quote by H.L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e7/h-l-mencken-2-5374_quote_if-there-had-been-any-formidable-body-of_142631.jpg)
