--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Modern civilization has made woman a…" description: "\"“Modern civilization has made woman a little wiser, but it has increased her suffering because of man's covetousness. The woman of yesterday was a happ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/kahlil-gibran-1330_wisdom_modern-civilization-has-made-woman-a-lit_716806.jpg" --- # Modern civilization has made woman a little wiser, but it… ![“Modern civilization has made woman a little wiser, but it has increased her suffering because of man's covetousness. The woman of yesterday was a happy wife, but the woman of today is a miserable mistress. In the past she walked blindly in the light, but now she walks open-eyed in the dark. She…” quote by Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/kahlil-gibran-1330_wisdom_modern-civilization-has-made-woman-a-lit_716806.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/kahlil-gibran-1330_wisdom_modern-civilization-has-made-woman-a-lit_716806.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/kahlil-gibran-1330_wisdom_modern-civilization-has-made-woman-a-lit_716806.jpg) > ““Modern civilization has made woman a little wiser, but it has increased her suffering because of man's covetousness. The woman of yesterday was a happy wife, but the woman of today is a miserable mistress. In the past she walked blindly in the light, but now she walks open-eyed in the dark. She was beautiful in her ignorance, virtuous in her simplicity, and strong in her weakness. Today she has become ugly in her ingenuity, superficial and heartless in her knowledge. Will the day ever come when beauty and knowledge, ingenuity and virtue, and weakness of body and strength of spirit will be united in a woman?”” [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal progress has given women knowledge but also new forms of suffering; true harmony requires uniting beauty, wisdom, and virtue. **In simple terms:** Knowledge without virtue can cause suffering; balance is needed. Key Takeaway Seek harmony between intellect, beauty, and virtue. Themes gender society knowledge beauty virtue balance Mood reflective concerned Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - education reform - workplace equality - personal development - cultural criticism - mental health awareness Key Concepts feminism philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can society foster both knowledge and virtue? - What does true beauty mean today? A Different Perspective Progress can create new pressures; balance may be hard to achieve. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization Woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization-woman-4695371/) [Happy wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-wife/) [Ignorance Virtuous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance-virtuous-5641393/) [Mistress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistress/) [Virtue Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-weakness-3955233/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Woman Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woman-today-1749139/) ## Related quotes > [Modern civilization has made woman a little wiser, but it has increased her suffering because of man's covetousness. The woman of yesterday was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/modern-civilization-has-made-woman-a-little-wiser-but-it-has-2/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [Strength and manliness are virtue; weakness and cowardice are sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/strength-and-manliness-are-virtue-weakness-and-cowardice-are-sin/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Everything I have been through has made me the woman I am today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/porsha-williams/everything-i-have-been-through-has-made-me-the-woman-i-am-today/) [Porsha Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/porsha-williams/) > [Back off, asshole. I haven't had a woman today, so I'm in no mood for this kind of bullshit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/back-off-asshole-i-haven-t-had-a-woman-today-so-i-m-in-no-mood-for/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [A woman today knows that the power of her femininity is very important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-renta/a-woman-today-knows-that-the-power-of-her-femininity-is-very-important/) [Oscar de la Renta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-renta/) > [Against the State, against the Church, against the silence of the medical profession, against the whole machinery of dead institutions of the past, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-sanger/against-the-state-against-the-church-against-the-silence-of-the/) [Margaret Sanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-sanger/) > [A woman today is good, or she is bad, according to the way she does a thing - and not because of the thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norma-shearer/a-woman-today-is-good-or-she-is-bad-according-to-the-way-she-does-a/) [Norma Shearer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norma-shearer/) > [It was by coincidence that I ended up opening my first shop in 1968, and I haven't stopped since. I now find myself trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-rykiel/it-was-by-coincidence-that-i-ended-up-opening-my-first-shop-in-1968/) [Sonia Rykiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-rykiel/) > [There is no formula that I'm aware of for being a successful or fulfilled woman today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/there-is-no-formula-that-i-m-aware-of-for-being-a-successful-or/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [In the beginning, I was worried there are too many shots of me as a boy out there. Now I'm at a point where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreja-pejic/in-the-beginning-i-was-worried-there-are-too-many-shots-of-me-as-a/) [Andreja Pejic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreja-pejic/) > [My mom is my hero, and I wouldn't be the woman I am today without her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/normani-kordei/my-mom-is-my-hero-and-i-wouldn-t-be-the-woman-i-am-today-without-her/) [Normani Kordei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/normani-kordei/) > [The average woman today is almost completely out of touch with her own power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-average-woman-today-is-almost-completely-out-of-touch-with-her/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“To be an unruly woman today is to oscillate between the postures of fearlessness and self-doubt, between listening to the voices that tell a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-helen-petersen/to-be-an-unruly-woman-today-is-to-oscillate-between-the-postures-of/) [Anne Helen Petersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-helen-petersen/) > [More than anything, I'm designing for a woman of today. I want to be a witness of my time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-ghesquiere/more-than-anything-i-m-designing-for-a-woman-of-today-i-want-to-be-a/) [Nicolas Ghesquiere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-ghesquiere/) > [“A woman today who has no goal, no purpose, no ambition patterning her days into the future, making her stretch and grow beyond that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-friedan/a-woman-today-who-has-no-goal-no-purpose-no-ambition-patterning-her/) [Betty Friedan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-friedan/) ## More by Kahlil Gibran > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/it-is-to-build-a-house-with-affection-even-as-if-your-beloved-were-to/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather of his faith and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/the-teacher-who-walks-in-the-shadow-of-the-temple-among-his-followers/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [We stood up and bade each other farewell, but love and despair stood between us like two ghosts, one stretching his wings with his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/we-stood-up-and-bade-each-other-farewell-but-love-and-despair-stood/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“Oftentimes we call Life bitter names, but only when we ourselves are bitter and dark. And we deem her empty and unprofitable, but only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/oftentimes-we-call-life-bitter-names-but-only-when-we-ourselves-are/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“And what is fear of need but need itself?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/and-what-is-fear-of-need-but-need-itself/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“For God opens the doors of truth to him who knocks with the hand of faith”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/for-god-opens-the-doors-of-truth-to-him-who-knocks-with-the-hand-of/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [Who can depart from his pain and aloneness without regret? Too many fragments of the spirit have I scattered in these streets, and too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/who-can-depart-from-his-pain-and-aloneness-without-regret-too-many/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“You are my brother and I love you. I love you worshipping in your church, kneeling in your temple, and praying in your mosque.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/you-are-my-brother-and-i-love-you-i-love-you-worshipping-in-your/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“You need not fear, my love, for never have the stars on high told what they know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/you-need-not-fear-my-love-for-never-have-the-stars-on-high-told-what/) [Kahlil Gibrán](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/the-soul-walks-not-upon-a-line-neither-does-it-grow-like-a-reed/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“For if you should enter the temple for no other purpose than asking you shall not receive:”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/for-if-you-should-enter-the-temple-for-no-other-purpose-than-asking/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/for-even-as-love-crowns-you-so-shall-he-crucify-you-even-as-he-is-for/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being,the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/the-deeper-that-sorrow-carves-into-your-being-the-more-joy-you-can/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“You are good when you are fully awake in your speech.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/you-are-good-when-you-are-fully-awake-in-your-speech/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) [Explore all 233 Kahlil Gibran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) ## More Happy wife quotes > [“A happy wife is the key to a happy home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-happy-wife-is-the-key-to-a-happy-home/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [I would rather be a fairly happy wife and mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-maclane/i-would-rather-be-a-fairly-happy-wife-and-mother/) [Mary MacLane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-maclane/) > [Remember, happy wife, happy life. Shitty wife, shitty life. Your choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/remember-happy-wife-happy-life-shitty-wife-shitty-life-your-choice/) [Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/) > [I do not want to go to heaven; I want my children, forever children, and other children, stalwart adults, and a good happy wife,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-stead/i-do-not-want-to-go-to-heaven-i-want-my-children-forever-children-and/) [Christina Stead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-stead/) > [Happy wife, happy life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-orfalea/happy-wife-happy-life/) [Paul Orfalea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-orfalea/) > [Husbands make the best kinds of heroes. - Lisa JacobsonMarriage is a mosaic you build with your spouse. Millions of tiny moments that create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-e-smith/husbands-make-the-best-kinds-of-heroes-lisa-jacobsonmarriage-is-a/) [Jennifer E. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-e-smith/) > [Everyone loves my sayings like, 'happy wife, happy life,' 'delicious and juicy,' 'love love love,' 'fabulous.' So I've made T shirts with that and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-giudice/everyone-loves-my-sayings-like-happy-wife-happy-life-delicious-and/) [Teresa Giudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-giudice/) > [“A happy wife is a happy life,” he said, echoing a popular rich-man truism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wolff/a-happy-wife-is-a-happy-life-he-said-echoing-a-popular-rich-man-truism/) [Michael Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wolff/) > [Yes, we three were so happy, my wife, my guitar and me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-bill-broonzy/yes-we-three-were-so-happy-my-wife-my-guitar-and-me/) [Big Bill Broonzy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-bill-broonzy/) > [I have money, fame, a happy wife, our daughter Nell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-pirsig/i-have-money-fame-a-happy-wife-our-daughter-nell/) [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) > [It bothers them that instead of taking on the role of abandoned lover, I have become a happy wife. They relish seeing strong women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/it-bothers-them-that-instead-of-taking-on-the-role-of-abandoned-lover/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [Happy wife, happy life. I think every man learns that quick. Really quick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-kroeger/happy-wife-happy-life-i-think-every-man-learns-that-quick-really-quick/) [Chad Kroeger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-kroeger/) > [“A loved husband is the companion of companions, the supreme sharer, and a happy wife often sounds trivial when she is really sampling and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-whipple/a-loved-husband-is-the-companion-of-companions-the-supreme-sharer-and/) [Dorothy Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-whipple/) > [A happy wife is a happy life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-rossdale/a-happy-wife-is-a-happy-life/) [Gavin Rossdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-rossdale/) > [Modern civilization has made woman a little wiser, but it has increased her suffering because of man's covetousness. The woman of yesterday was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/modern-civilization-has-made-woman-a-little-wiser-but-it-has-2/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) [Browse all 18 Happy wife quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-wife/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Modern civilization has made woman a little wiser, but it has increased her suffering because of man's covetousness. The woman of yesterday was a happy wife, but the woman of today is a miserable mistress. In the past she walked blindly in the light, but now she walks open-eyed in the dark. She was beautiful in her ignorance, virtuous in her simplicity, and strong in her weakness. Today she has become ugly in her ingenuity, superficial and heartless in her knowledge. 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