Love, she said, was a woman’s first necessity. For wise and good reasons, God made the knowledge of Himself scarce any otherwise attainable by us, than that of the existence of other beings absent. The will is placed in the soul, and who can enter there but he that created the soul?  Human life partakes of the unrevealable inscrutableness of God. Women’s special mission is supposed to be drying tears and bearing burdens. Every complete man embraces some of the qualities of a woman, for Nature does not mean that sex shall be more than a partial separation of one common humanity; otherwise we should be too much divided to be companionable. Romance lives by repetition, and repetition converts an appetite into an art. Each time that one loves is the only time one has ever loved; differences of object does not alter singleness of passion. My only wickedness is that I love you; my only goodness, the same. As nature has made a great difference in the external appearance of man and woman, we may reasonably expect to find as remarkable a one in their moral character. A female who is at the same time useful and agreeable is as rare as sincerity in a statesman, or humility in an author. It is the highest compliment to give every man his own way; to a lady it is an infallible one.

Women are usually bred up in too low, narrow, and servile a manner of thinking, by being made to believe that their principal objects are to ornament their person, improve their fortunes, and marry rich husbands. As few husbands have little more knowledge than qualifies them for their professions and employments, they seldom require more in their wives than fits them for useful servants. Women love themselves in men. Women, the most beautiful of nature’s flowers, is the most recreant to her laws, and starves with cold and unnecessary forms that divine flame her beauteous system was designed to kindle. The powers of women’s minds are not derived from their bodies; women, in general, think and reflect as well, and quicker than men. Virtue alone is true honor, true freedom, and solid, durable happiness. Virtue is the only nobility. Virtue is God’s empire. A ship is not counted strong by biding one storm. At any time, and under any circumstances of human interest, is it not strange to see how little real hold the objects of the natural World can gain on our hearts and minds. Of love and marriages, coarse men speak with sneers and obscene jests, while serious men express themselves in hints, with apologetic smiles, as if they were betraying a weakness. I chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, not for a fine glossy surface, but such qualities as would wear well. A proposal of marriage can never be an insult.

Marriage hath saved many a woman from ruin. A woman who hath given her consent to marry can hardly be said to be safe till she is married. The vindication of the loved object is the best balm affection can find for its wounds: A man must have so much on his mind is the belief by which a wife often supports a cheerful face under rough answers and unfeeling words. Wives set one on to abuse their husbands and then they turn round one and praise ‘em as if they wanted to sell ‘em.  A woman can always be satisfied with devoting herself to her husband, but a man wants something that will make him look forward more. Domestic happiness is the end of almost all our pursuits, and the common reward of all our pains. Will any woman hesitate a moment whether she shall ride in a coach, or walk on foot all the days of her life? All things fulfill their destiny. Happiness must be something solid and permanent, without fear and without certainty. Nature seeks happiness. The human heart is so fond of happiness, that we give easy credit to what we wish. Happy are they who are blessed with the power of making happy. Love is a passion which kindles honor into noble acts. Luck is all. Where wit and ingenuity, vivacity, delicacy, and quickness are required, women manifestly excel men. The greater good a man does, in proportion to what he is capable of going, the more manly he is. The drawing room is woman’s element, realm, rather than man’s. Woman is a very peculiar and delicate organism; a sensitive and highly organized women is especially peculiar. It would require an inspired psychologist to deal successfully with them. And when ordinary fellows attempt to cope with their uniqueness the result is bungling. Most women are complicated and whimsical, but flowers, and diamonds will always warm her heart.