Men at most differ as Heaven and Earth, but women, worst and best, as Heaven and Hell.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the vast differences between men and women, suggesting that these differences can be extreme.
Alfred Lord Tennyson's quote suggests that while men may have differences that are significant yet fathomable, the differences between women can be even more extreme, ranging from virtuous to deeply flawed. This speaks to the complexities of gender dynamics and the contrasting nature of male and female experiences in society.
In practice
During a discussion on gender roles, one might say this quote to illustrate inherent differences in perspectives.
Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For though from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.
How many a father have I seen, A sober man, among his boys, Whose youth was full of foolish noise.
O Love! what hours were thine and mine, In lands of palm and southern pine; In lands of palm, of orange-blossom, Of olive, aloe, and maize and vine!
Earth is dry to the centre,_x000D_ But spring, a new comer,_x000D_ A spring rich and strange,_x000D_ Shall make the winds blow_x000D_ Round and round,_x000D_ Thro' and thro',_x000D_ Here and there,_x000D_ Till the air_x000D_ And the ground_x000D_ Shall be fill'd with life anew.
O love, O fire! once he drew With one long kiss my whole soul through My lips, as sunlight drinketh dew.
But thy strong Hours indignant work’d their wills, And beat me down and marr’d and wasted me, And tho’ they could not end me, left me maim’d To dwell in presence of immortal youth, Immortal age beside immortal youth, And all I was, in ashes. - Tithonus
For "full" emotional communication, one person needs to allow his state of mind to be influenced by that of the other.
A woman may very well form a friendship with a man, but for this to endure, it must be assisted by a little physical antipathy.
These people are a part of me. And they are a part of America, this country that I love.
ah, you always go for the ones who don't really want you
Ten long trips around the sun since I last saw that smile, but only joy and thankfulness that on a tiny world in the vastness, for a couple of moments in the immensity of time, we were one.
As NVC replaces our old patterns of defending, withdrawing or attacking in the face of judgment and criticism. We come to perceive ourselves and others, as well as our intentions and relationships, in a new light. Resistance, defensiveness, and violent reactions are minimized.
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