--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Old maids, having never bent their temper…" description: "\"Old maids, having never bent their temper or their lives to other lives and other tempers, as woman's destiny requires, have for the most part a mania ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e13/honor-de-balzac-197_bent_old-maids-having-never-bent-their-temper_2267861.jpg" --- # Old maids, having never bent their temper or their lives… ![“Old maids, having never bent their temper or their lives to other lives and other tempers, as woman's destiny requires, have for the most part a mania for making everything about them bend to them.” quote by Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e13/honor-de-balzac-197_bent_old-maids-having-never-bent-their-temper_2267861.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e13/honor-de-balzac-197_bent_old-maids-having-never-bent-their-temper_2267861.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e13/honor-de-balzac-197_bent_old-maids-having-never-bent-their-temper_2267861.jpg) > “Old maids, having never bent their temper or their lives to other lives and other tempers, as woman's destiny requires, have for the most part a mania for making everything about them bend to them.” [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. Women who never compromise their will become self‑centered, demanding everything bend to them. **In simple terms:** Uncompromising women may become self‑absorbed. Key Takeaway Balance personal autonomy with empathy. Themes literature gender studies psychology Mood critical analytical Type social psychological When to use this quote - relationship counseling - gender role analysis - personal development Key Concepts self‑interest social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - When does self‑assertion become selfish? - How can autonomy coexist with cooperation? A Different Perspective Not all assertive women are self‑absorbed; context matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Mania](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mania/) [Old maids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-maids/) [Temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temper/) ## Related quotes > [Old maids claw as cats do. They not only inflict wounds but experience pleasure in doing so. Nor will they fail to remind their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/old-maids-claw-as-cats-do-they-not-only-inflict-wounds-but-experience/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [When there is an old maid in the house, a watchdog is unnecessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/when-there-is-an-old-maid-in-the-house-a-watchdog-is-unnecessary/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Fifty years from now Britain will still be the country of long shadows on county grounds, warm beer, invincible green suburbs, dog lovers and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-major/fifty-years-from-now-britain-will-still-be-the-country-of-long/) [John Major](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-major/) > [Old maids do not mind giving people trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nelson-page/old-maids-do-not-mind-giving-people-trouble/) [Thomas Nelson Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nelson-page/) > [Widows are more skillful anglers for husbands than spinsters, and many marry several times. This is a social injustice to spinsters. "One man one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-celeste-claflin/widows-are-more-skillful-anglers-for-husbands-than-spinsters-and-many/) [Tennessee Celeste Claflin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-celeste-claflin/) > [I was never one of those girls who dreamt of Prince Charming. To piss off my mom, I would say, 'I'm never having kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-biel/i-was-never-one-of-those-girls-who-dreamt-of-prince-charming-to-piss/) [Jessica Biel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-biel/) > [Old maids sweeten their tea with scandal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/old-maids-sweeten-their-tea-with-scandal/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [children had no place in love affairs. Children ought to be born to widows and old maids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-borden/children-had-no-place-in-love-affairs-children-ought-to-be-born-to/) [Mary Borden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-borden/) > [A country of long shadows on county cricket grounds, warm beer, green suburbs, dog lovers, and old maids cycling to holy communion through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-major/a-country-of-long-shadows-on-county-cricket-grounds-warm-beer-green/) [John Major](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-major/) > [While it is true that commercial art is always in danger of ending up as a prostitute, it is equally true that noncommercial art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-panofsky/while-it-is-true-that-commercial-art-is-always-in-danger-of-ending-up/) Erwin Panofsky > [The women who take husbands not out of love but out of greed, to get their bills paid, to get a fine house and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-adler/the-women-who-take-husbands-not-out-of-love-but-out-of-greed-to-get/) [Polly Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-adler/) > [Only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony, which is why I shall end up an old maid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bennett/only-the-deepest-love-will-persuade-me-into-matrimony-which-is-why-i-2/) [Elizabeth Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bennett/) > [Consider, I pray, whether you are not renouncing all shame and sincerity to advance such principles. Because a comet appears in a group of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-bayle/consider-i-pray-whether-you-are-not-renouncing-all-shame-and/) [Pierre Bayle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-bayle/) > [A long time ago, in a town with which I used to be familiarly acquainted, there dwelt an elderly person of grim aspect, known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/a-long-time-ago-in-a-town-with-which-i-used-to-be-familiarly/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [The only game I like to play is "Old Maid", providing she's not too old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/the-only-game-i-like-to-play-is-old-maid-providing-she-s-not-too-old/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) ## More by Honore de Balzac > [“Oh, my friend, when you love, love a woman whom you are sure that you can love always. Never forsake a woman.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/oh-my-friend-when-you-love-love-a-woman-whom-you-are-sure-that-you/) [Honoré de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [“You have broken the ice, though you have not even scratched its glossy surface: you have placed your hand upon the croup of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/you-have-broken-the-ice-though-you-have-not-even-scratched-its-glossy/) [Honoré de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [In a world of hunchbacks, a fine figure becomes a monstrosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/in-a-world-of-hunchbacks-a-fine-figure-becomes-a-monstrosity/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [It is quite right what they say: the three most beautiful sights in the world are a ship in full sail, a galloping horse,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/it-is-quite-right-what-they-say-the-three-most-beautiful-sights-in/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [My writing table has seen all my wretchedness, knows all my plans, has overheard all my thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/my-writing-table-has-seen-all-my-wretchedness-knows-all-my-plans-has/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Foppery, being the chronic condition of women, is not so much noticed as it is when it breaks out on the person of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/foppery-being-the-chronic-condition-of-women-is-not-so-much-noticed/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [A married woman is a slave you must know how to seat upon a throne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/a-married-woman-is-a-slave-you-must-know-how-to-seat-upon-a-throne/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Rich men are resolved to be astonished at nothing. When they see a masterpiece, they must needs at one glance recognize some flaw to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/rich-men-are-resolved-to-be-astonished-at-nothing-when-they-see-a/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [I am a galley slave to pen and ink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/i-am-a-galley-slave-to-pen-and-ink/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [One can imagine the look the two lovers exchanged; it was like a flame, for virtuous lovers have not a shred of hypocrisy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/one-can-imagine-the-look-the-two-lovers-exchanged-it-was-like-a-flame/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [White and shining virgin of all human virtues, ark of the covenant between earth and heaven, tender and strong companion partaking of the lion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/white-and-shining-virgin-of-all-human-virtues-ark-of-the-covenant/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [All men can bear a familiar, definite misfortune better than the cruel alternations of a fate which, from one moment to another, brings excessive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/all-men-can-bear-a-familiar-definite-misfortune-better-than-the-cruel/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [The mind, too, has its regimen. It needs gymnastics, just like the body does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/the-mind-too-has-its-regimen-it-needs-gymnastics-just-like-the-body/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Hatred like love feeds on the merest trifles. Everything adds to it. Just as the being we love can do no wrong, so the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/hatred-like-love-feeds-on-the-merest-trifles-everything-adds-to-it/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [All human power is a compound of time and patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/all-human-power-is-a-compound-of-time-and-patience/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) [Explore all 793 Honore de Balzac quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) ## More Bent quotes > [I have heard that if you pull a bent breath through the second hole of a harmonica tuned to the key of Georgia while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-wakefield/i-have-heard-that-if-you-pull-a-bent-breath-through-the-second-hole/) [Buddy Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-wakefield/) > [The longer I live, the more it grieves me to see man, who occupies his supreme place for the very purpose of imposing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-longer-i-live-the-more-it-grieves-me-to-see-man-who-occupies-his/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Old age likes to dwell in the recollections of the past, and, mistaking, the speedy march of years, often is inclined to take the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lajos-kossuth/old-age-likes-to-dwell-in-the-recollections-of-the-past-and-mistaking/) [Lajos Kossuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lajos-kossuth/) > [The Lord expects us to enjoy our lives. He says there will be some brutal times, but we shouldn't get all bent out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-henderson/the-lord-expects-us-to-enjoy-our-lives-he-says-there-will-be-some/) [Paul Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-henderson/) > [I was married to a law student, and I used to attend classes with him at Georgetown University Law Center. Being of dramatic bent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luanne-rice/i-was-married-to-a-law-student-and-i-used-to-attend-classes-with-him/) [Luanne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luanne-rice/) > [The person who is bent on killing you will follow you wherever you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-person-who-is-bent-on-killing-you-will-follow-you-wherever-you-are/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) > [My heart is like a singing bird Whose nest is in a water'd shoot; My heart is like an apple-tree Whose boughs are bent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-rossetti/my-heart-is-like-a-singing-bird-whose-nest-is-in-a-water-d-shoot-my/) [Christina Rossetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-rossetti/) > [If art is singular expression, then by nature, the best art is controversial. But when art stirs debate for reasons besides its artistic integrity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/if-art-is-singular-expression-then-by-nature-the-best-art-is/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [I refer to the misunderstanding of Soviet Russia as an aggressive power, militaristically and ideologically bent upon world domination 'seeing', to quote a recent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enoch-powell/i-refer-to-the-misunderstanding-of-soviet-russia-as-an-aggressive/) [Enoch Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enoch-powell/) > [Blessed are the flexible for they will not allow themselves to become bent out of shape!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ludlum/blessed-are-the-flexible-for-they-will-not-allow-themselves-to-become/) [Robert Ludlum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ludlum/) > [But how carve way i' the life that lies before, If bent on groaning ever for the past?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/but-how-carve-way-i-the-life-that-lies-before-if-bent-on-groaning/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [Be Yourself -The man who is neither bent upon pleasing his fellows nor afraid of offending them will enjoy great peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/be-yourself-the-man-who-is-neither-bent-upon-pleasing-his-fellows-nor/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [When the world grinds you down, bent to tear you apart, cling to what you hold dear, and stay true to your heart. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-fesler/when-the-world-grinds-you-down-bent-to-tear-you-apart-cling-to-what/) [Wes Fesler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-fesler/) > [At the drabber moments of my life (swilling some excrement from the steps, for instance, or rooting with a bent coat-hanger down a blocked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bennett/at-the-drabber-moments-of-my-life-swilling-some-excrement-from-the/) [Alan Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bennett/) > [It's very confusing when fame comes early on in your career. You get a little bit bent out of shape in terms of what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-clayton/it-s-very-confusing-when-fame-comes-early-on-in-your-career-you-get-a/) [Adam Clayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-clayton/) Browse all 641 Bent quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Old maids, having never bent their temper or their lives to other lives and other tempers, as woman's destiny requires, have for the most part a mania for making everything about them bend to them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Honore de Balzac" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/old-maids-having-never-bent-their-temper-or-their-lives-to-other/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bent" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/old-maids-having-never-bent-their-temper-or-their-lives-to-other/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e13/honor-de-balzac-197_bent_old-maids-having-never-bent-their-temper_2267861.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e13/honor-de-balzac-197_bent_old-maids-having-never-bent-their-temper_2267861.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e13/honor-de-balzac-197_bent_old-maids-having-never-bent-their-temper_2267861.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Old maids, having never bent their temper or their lives to other lives and other tempers, as woman's…” — Honore de Balzac", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Honore de Balzac", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Old maids, having never bent their...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/old-maids-having-never-bent-their-temper-or-their-lives-to-other/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/old-maids-having-never-bent-their-temper-or-their-lives-to-other/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```