---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ... a wife should be always a reasonable…"
description: "\"“... a wife should be always a reasonable and agreeable companion, because she cannot always be young.”\" — Jonathan Swift"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/jonathan-swift-433_marriage_a-wife-should-be-always-a-reasonable-and_1443834.jpg"
---

#  ... a wife should be always a reasonable and agreeable…

![“... a wife should be always a reasonable and agreeable companion, because she cannot always be young.” quote by Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/jonathan-swift-433_marriage_a-wife-should-be-always-a-reasonable-and_1443834.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/jonathan-swift-433_marriage_a-wife-should-be-always-a-reasonable-and_1443834.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/jonathan-swift-433_marriage_a-wife-should-be-always-a-reasonable-and_1443834.jpg)

> ““... a wife should be always a reasonable and agreeable companion, because she cannot always be young.””

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A witty observation that a wife’s value lies in companionship and reason, not youth, highlighting societal expectations of women.

**In simple terms:** Companionship matters more than youth in marriage.

Key Takeaway

Value reason and partnership over age.

Themes

marriage gender roles age companionship humor

Mood

wry thoughtful critical

Type

satirical philosophical social commentary

When to use this quote

- marriage counseling
- dating advice
- gender equality discussions
- family planning

Key Concepts

social critique feminist perspective satire

Questions to Reflect On

- What qualities truly sustain a partnership?
- How do societal norms affect partner expectations?

A Different Perspective

Age can be a source of bias in relationships.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/)

## Related quotes

> [An agreeable companion on a journey is as good as a carriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/an-agreeable-companion-on-a-journey-is-as-good-as-a-carriage/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Whoever undertakes a long journey, if he be wise, makes it his business to find out an agreeable companion. How cautious then should he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cervantes-saavedra-miguel-de/whoever-undertakes-a-long-journey-if-he-be-wise-makes-it-his-business/)

[Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cervantes-saavedra-miguel-de/)

> [Few are qualified to shine in company, but it is in most men's power to be agreeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/few-are-qualified-to-shine-in-company-but-it-is-in-most-men-s-power/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [Nature has left every man a capacity of being agreeable, though not of shining in company; and there are a hundred men sufficiently qualified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/nature-has-left-every-man-a-capacity-of-being-agreeable-though-not-of/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [I always follow the rules. No fake co-productions. I know how to make content agreeable and acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-zheng-wu/i-always-follow-the-rules-no-fake-co-productions-i-know-how-to-make/)

[Bruno Zheng Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-zheng-wu/)

> [An agreeable figure and winning manner, which inspire affection without love, are always new. Beauty loses its relish, the graces never, after the longest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-home-lord-kames/an-agreeable-figure-and-winning-manner-which-inspire-affection/)

[Henry Home, Lord Kames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-home-lord-kames/)

> [Choose the GOOD WILL that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marv-stark/choose-the-good-will-that-is-most-useful-and-habit-will-make-it-the/)

[Marv Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marv-stark/)

> [Surrounded by all the members of my dear family, enjoying the affection of numerous friends, who have never abandoned me, and possessing a sufficient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-james-audubon/surrounded-by-all-the-members-of-my-dear-family-enjoying-the/)

[John James Audubon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-james-audubon/)

> [I'm small, but I'm neither compliant nor agreeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elia-kazan/i-m-small-but-i-m-neither-compliant-nor-agreeable/)

[Elia Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elia-kazan/)

> [“We laughed at the same things, and we liked the same things. What more is needed for agreeable society?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/we-laughed-at-the-same-things-and-we-liked-the-same-things-what-more/)

[George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/)

> [“Above all one should accept everything, in general and individually, in oneself or in others, agreeable or disagreeable, with a prompt and confident spirit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-the-great/above-all-one-should-accept-everything-in-general-and-individually-in/)

Albert the Great

> [“Expect a most agreeable letter, for not being overburdened with subject (having nothing at all to say), there shall be no check to my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/expect-a-most-agreeable-letter-for-not-being-overburdened-with/)

[Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/)

> [Remember that when you meet your antagonist, to do everything in a mild agreeable manner. Let your courage be keen, but, at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/remember-that-when-you-meet-your-antagonist-to-do-everything-in-a/)

[Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/)

> [I roll out of my couch every morning with the more agreeable expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/i-roll-out-of-my-couch-every-morning-with-the-more-agreeable/)

[H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/)

> [It is with rivers as it is with people: the greatest are not always the most agreeable nor the best to live with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-the-greatest-are-not-always/)

[Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/)

## More by Jonathan Swift

> [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [“He said, he knew no reason why those who entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should be obliged to change, or should not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/he-said-he-knew-no-reason-why-those-who-entertain-opinions/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [I with borrow'd silver shine, What you see is none of mine. First I show you but a quarter, Like the bow that guards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-with-borrow-d-silver-shine-what-you-see-is-none-of-mine-first-i/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [A favor is half granted, when graciously refused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-favor-is-half-granted-when-graciously-refused/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-never-wonder-to-see-men-wicked-but-i-often-wonder-to-see-them-not/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [The best Maxim I know in this life is, to drink your Coffee when you can, and when you cannot, to be easy without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/the-best-maxim-i-know-in-this-life-is-to-drink-your-coffee-when-you/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [A lie is an excuse guarded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-lie-is-an-excuse-guarded/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [A forward critic often dupes us With sham quotations peri hupsos, And if we have not read Longinus, Will magisterially outshine us. Then, lest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-forward-critic-often-dupes-us-with-sham-quotations-peri-hupsos-and/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [May you live every day of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/may-you-live-every-day-of-your-life/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [Ale is meat, drink and cloth; it will make a cat speak and a wise man dumb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/ale-is-meat-drink-and-cloth-it-will-make-a-cat-speak-and-a-wise-man/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [All fits of pleasure are balanced by an equal degree of pain or languor; it is like spending this year part of the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/all-fits-of-pleasure-are-balanced-by-an-equal-degree-of-pain-or/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [Satire is a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own; which is the chief reason for that kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/satire-is-a-sort-of-glass-wherein-beholders-do-generally-discover/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [“When a great genius appears in the world you may know him by this sign; that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/when-a-great-genius-appears-in-the-world-you-may-know-him-by-this/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [I have ever hated all nations, professions, and communities, and all my love is toward individuals: for instance, I hate the tribe of lawyers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-have-ever-hated-all-nations-professions-and-communities-and-all-my/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [So endless and exorbitant are the desires of men that they will grasp at all, and can form no scheme of perfect happiness with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/so-endless-and-exorbitant-are-the-desires-of-men-that-they-will-grasp/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

[Explore all 535 Jonathan Swift quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

## More Agreeable quotes

> [It is with rivers as it is with people: the greatest are not always the most agreeable nor the best to live with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-the-greatest-are-not-always/)

[Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/)

> [I roll out of my couch every morning with the more agreeable expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/i-roll-out-of-my-couch-every-morning-with-the-more-agreeable/)

[H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/)

> [Remember that when you meet your antagonist, to do everything in a mild agreeable manner. Let your courage be keen, but, at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/remember-that-when-you-meet-your-antagonist-to-do-everything-in-a/)

[Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/)

> [“Expect a most agreeable letter, for not being overburdened with subject (having nothing at all to say), there shall be no check to my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/expect-a-most-agreeable-letter-for-not-being-overburdened-with/)

[Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/)

> [“Above all one should accept everything, in general and individually, in oneself or in others, agreeable or disagreeable, with a prompt and confident spirit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-the-great/above-all-one-should-accept-everything-in-general-and-individually-in/)

Albert the Great

> [“We laughed at the same things, and we liked the same things. What more is needed for agreeable society?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/we-laughed-at-the-same-things-and-we-liked-the-same-things-what-more/)

[George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/)

> [I'm small, but I'm neither compliant nor agreeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elia-kazan/i-m-small-but-i-m-neither-compliant-nor-agreeable/)

[Elia Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elia-kazan/)

> [Surrounded by all the members of my dear family, enjoying the affection of numerous friends, who have never abandoned me, and possessing a sufficient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-james-audubon/surrounded-by-all-the-members-of-my-dear-family-enjoying-the/)

[John James Audubon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-james-audubon/)

> [Choose the GOOD WILL that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marv-stark/choose-the-good-will-that-is-most-useful-and-habit-will-make-it-the/)

[Marv Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marv-stark/)

> [An agreeable figure and winning manner, which inspire affection without love, are always new. Beauty loses its relish, the graces never, after the longest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-home-lord-kames/an-agreeable-figure-and-winning-manner-which-inspire-affection/)

[Henry Home, Lord Kames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-home-lord-kames/)

> [I always follow the rules. No fake co-productions. I know how to make content agreeable and acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-zheng-wu/i-always-follow-the-rules-no-fake-co-productions-i-know-how-to-make/)

[Bruno Zheng Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-zheng-wu/)

> [I like to make people happy, and with fairy tales, I can say anything I want to, but in an agreeable way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-ocelot/i-like-to-make-people-happy-and-with-fairy-tales-i-can-say-anything-i/)

[Michel Ocelot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-ocelot/)

> [Dandies, when first-rate, are generally very agreeable men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/dandies-when-first-rate-are-generally-very-agreeable-men/)

[Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/)

> [This goin' ware glory waits ye haint one agreeable feetur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/this-goin-ware-glory-waits-ye-haint-one-agreeable-feetur/)

[James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/)

> [One thing which makes us find so few people who appear reasonable and agreeable in conversation is, that there is scarcely any one who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/one-thing-which-makes-us-find-so-few-people-who-appear-reasonable-and/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

Browse all 151 Agreeable quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“... a wife should be always a reasonable and agreeable companion, because she cannot always be young.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jonathan Swift"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-wife-should-be-always-a-reasonable-and-agreeable-companion-because/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Agreeable"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-wife-should-be-always-a-reasonable-and-agreeable-companion-because/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/jonathan-swift-433_marriage_a-wife-should-be-always-a-reasonable-and_1443834.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/jonathan-swift-433_marriage_a-wife-should-be-always-a-reasonable-and_1443834.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/jonathan-swift-433_marriage_a-wife-should-be-always-a-reasonable-and_1443834.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“... a wife should be always a reasonable and agreeable companion, because she cannot always be young.” — Jonathan Swift",
                "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": "Jonathan Swift",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“... a wife should be always...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-wife-should-be-always-a-reasonable-and-agreeable-companion-because/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-wife-should-be-always-a-reasonable-and-agreeable-companion-because/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
