--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do not suppose she had ever really…" description: "\"“I do not suppose she had ever really cared for her husband, and what I had taken for love was no more than the feminine response to caresses and comfo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/w-somerset-maugham-237_love_i-do-not-suppose-she-had-ever-really-car_1978212.jpg" --- # I do not suppose she had ever really cared for her… ![“I do not suppose she had ever really cared for her husband, and what I had taken for love was no more than the feminine response to caresses and comfort which in the minds of most women passes for it. It is a passive feeling capable of being roused for any object, as the vine can grow on any tree…” quote by W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/w-somerset-maugham-237_love_i-do-not-suppose-she-had-ever-really-car_1978212.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/w-somerset-maugham-237_love_i-do-not-suppose-she-had-ever-really-car_1978212.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/w-somerset-maugham-237_love_i-do-not-suppose-she-had-ever-really-car_1978212.jpg) > ““I do not suppose she had ever really cared for her husband, and what I had taken for love was no more than the feminine response to caresses and comfort which in the minds of most women passes for it. It is a passive feeling capable of being roused for any object, as the vine can grow on any tree; and the wisdom of the world recognises its strength when it urges a girl to marry the man who wants her with the assurance that love will follow. It is an emotion made up of the satisfaction of security, pride of property, the pleasure of being desired, the gratification of a household, and it is only by an amiable vanity that women ascribe to it spiritual value. It is an emotion which is defenceless against passion.”” [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Love is portrayed as a socially conditioned, passive comfort rather than deep passion, driven by security and status. **In simple terms:** Love is seen as comfort and security, not true passion. Key Takeaway Recognize the difference between security‑based affection and genuine passion. Themes relationships gender roles societal expectations emotions marriage Mood reflective critical analytical Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - marriage decisions - relationship counseling - self‑reflection on affection - cultural analysis of love Key Concepts passive affection social conditioning security pride desire vanity Questions to Reflect On - Do you equate security with love? - How might genuine passion differ from comfort? A Different Perspective It overlooks love that arises from mutual growth and shared purpose beyond security. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assurance Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assurance-love-1626135/) [Feminine Response](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminine-response-3361086/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love Feminine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-feminine-416267/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Passive Feeling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passive-feeling-3361085/) ## Related quotes > [“Stop worrying about whether or not you are exhibiting grace or rightly serving others. 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