--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A lover always thinks of his mistress…" description: "\"A lover always thinks of his mistress first and himself second; with a husband it runs the other way.\" — Honore de Balzac" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/honor-de-balzac-197_husband_a-lover-always-thinks-of-his-mistress-fi_1493531.png" --- # A lover always thinks of his mistress first and himself… ![“A lover always thinks of his mistress first and himself second; with a husband it runs the other way.” quote by Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/honor-de-balzac-197_husband_a-lover-always-thinks-of-his-mistress-fi_1493531.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/honor-de-balzac-197_husband_a-lover-always-thinks-of-his-mistress-fi_1493531.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/honor-de-balzac-197_husband_a-lover-always-thinks-of-his-mistress-fi_1493531.png) > “A lover always thinks of his mistress first and himself second; with a husband it runs the other way.” [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A lover prioritizes his mistress over himself, while a husband does the opposite, highlighting role‑reversal in affection. **In simple terms:** Lovers and husbands place affection differently. Key Takeaway Recognize how relationship roles shift affection. Themes love marriage self‑interest Mood thoughtful analytical Type literary psychological When to use this quote - marital counseling - relationship advice - personal reflection Key Concepts Psychology of relationships social norms role reversal Questions to Reflect On - How do personal priorities affect partners? - When does self‑sacrifice become unhealthy? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex dynamics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Husband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/husband/) [Lover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lover/) [Lover Thinks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lover-thinks-3802332/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Mistress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistress/) [Mistress Second](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistress-second-5460970/) [Thinks Mistress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinks-mistress-5460969/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [there is nothing sorer to the spirit than falling below what one's lover thinks of one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-mitchison/there-is-nothing-sorer-to-the-spirit-than-falling-below-what-one-s/) [Naomi Mitchison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-mitchison/) > [A husband can commit no greater blunder than to discuss his wife, if she is virtuous, with his mistress; unless it be to mention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/a-husband-can-commit-no-greater-blunder-than-to-discuss-his-wife-if/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [It is beyond a doubt that during the sixteenth century, and the years immediately preceding and following it, poisoning had been brought to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/it-is-beyond-a-doubt-that-during-the-sixteenth-century-and-the-years/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Un homme n'a jamais pu e lever sa ma\|"tresse jusqu'a' lui; mais une femme place toujours son amant aussi haut qu'elle. 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