Very few people ever state properly the strong argument in favour of marrying for love or against marrying for money. The argument is not that all lovers are heros and heroines, nor is it that all dukes are profligates or all millionaires cads. The argument is this, that the differences between a man and a woman are at best so obstinate and exasperating that they practically cannot be got over unless there is an atmosphere of exaggerated tenderness and mutual interest. To put the matter in one metaphor, the sexes are two stubborn pieces of iron; if they are to be welded together, it must be while they are red-hot.
Every woman has to find out that her husband is a selfish beast, because every man is a selfish beast by the standard of a woman. But let her find out the beast while they are both still in the story of “Beauty and the Beast.” Every man has to find out his wife is cross-that is to say, sensitive to the point of madness: for every woman is mad by the masculine standard. But let him find out that she is mad while her madness is more worth considering than anyone else’s sanity. 
~ G.K. Chesterton in The Common Man
Comments (5)
What a great quote! And so true. I’m really enjoying Orthodoxy right now.
Carrie, do me a favor, OK? Pull out some good quotes so I can get revved up for it. I started a few years ago and got bogged down. I can’t remember if it was the writing or if my life was too full to concentrate. I really want to read Orthodoxy within the next three years.
Yup, that’s what I need to do….pull out some *marriage* quotes to keep me focused during these last days madness.
Dana in GA
Good grief! That makes my head hurt!
Oh, Carol, I absolutely LOVE it!!! What a great quote! And if a person doesn’t fully understand it, what a loss……
P.S. Love your new photo – it really captures the true essence of you – your smile, your eyes, and yes, even your hair