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Asks Quote by Myrtle Reed

“Not infrequently, when a man asks a woman to marry him, he means that he wants her to help him love himself, and if, blinded by her own feeling, she takes him for her captain, her pleasure craft becomes a pirate ship, the colours change to a black flag with a sinister sign, and her inevitable…” quote by Myrtle Reed
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“Not infrequently, when a man asks a woman to marry him, he means that he wants her to help him love himself, and if, blinded by her own feeling, she takes him for her captain, her pleasure craft becomes a pirate ship, the colours change to a black flag with a sinister sign, and her inevitable destiny is the coral reef.”

Myrtle Reed

About This Quote

Source Short Story Collection: The Coral Reef, 2010

A marriage proposal can mask a desire for self‑love, leading to a relationship that becomes destructive if the partner loses self‑identity.

In simple terms: Marriage can hide personal insecurities.

Key Takeaway

Seek self‑awareness before commitment.

Themes

relationships self‑esteem power dynamics

Mood

cautionary melancholic

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • counseling sessions
  • relationship workshops
  • personal reflection
  • literary analysis

Key Concepts

psychology of love identity loss

Questions to Reflect On

  • What personal needs drive your desire for partnership?
  • How can partners support each other's self‑growth?
A Different Perspective

Not all proposals are altruistic; motives can be complex.

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