QuoteProject
A mother takes twenty years to make a man of her boy, and another woman makes a fool of him in twenty minutes.
Robert Frost
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

A mother's influence shapes a man over many years, whereas a romantic interest can quickly undo that wisdom.

This quote by Robert Frost highlights the profound impact a mother has on her son's character and upbringing over two decades. It also serves as a cautionary reflection on how easily a romantic relationship can lead to foolish decisions or romantically motivated mistakes in a very short time, emphasizing the contrast between nurturing and impulsiveness in relationships.

Themes

MotherInfluenceRelationshipsWisdomFoolishness

In practice

Example use cases

During a family gathering, I shared this quote to illustrate the importance of maternal guidance in a man's life.

More from Robert Frost

Two such as you with such a master speed, cannot be parted nor be swept away, from one another once you are agreed, that life is only life forevermore, together wing to wing and oar to oar.
Robert FrostRead
You have freedom when you're easy in your harness.
Robert FrostRead
God made a beauteous garden With lovely flowers strown, But one straight, narrow pathway That was not overgrown. And to this beauteous garden He brought mankind to live, And said "To you, my children, These lovely flowers I give. Prune ye my vines and fig trees, With care my flowers tend, But keep the pathway open Your home is at the end." God's Garden
Robert FrostRead
'Warm in December, cold in June, you say?' _x000D_ _x000D_ I don't suppose the water's changed at all. _x000D_ _x000D_ You and I know enough to know it's warm _x000D_ _x000D_ Compared with cold, and cold compared with warm. _x000D_ _x000D_ But all the fun's in how you say a thing.
Robert FrostRead
For, dear me, why abandon a belief, Merely because it ceases to be true, Cling to it long enough, and not a doubt, It will turn true again, for so it goes.
Robert FrostRead
The question that he frames in all but words is what to make of a diminished thing.
Robert FrostRead

Similar quotes

From the moment I leave my house or my hotel room, the public owns me. The public made Alice Cooper and I can't imagine ever turning my back on my fans.
Alice CooperRead
Prenups are so unromantic - a sign of distrust, not love. Time for a reality check, my friends. First, drawing up a prenuptial agreement together is a sign of incredible trust and financial openness - you're fooling yourself if you think you can achieve complete intimacy without it.
Suze OrmanRead
An individual poor person is an isolated island by himself and herself. IT can end that isolation overnight.
Muhammad YunusRead
Here's the thing: When you become brilliant at listening, people feel that you care about them. When they feel you care about them, they begin to care about you. And when people care about you, your success becomes a part of how they define their success.
Robin S. SharmaRead
…on some occasions, women, like dreams, go by contraries.
Louisa May AlcottRead
Don't you ever orget that in the end, our future is tied to people, that it's more about ideas than a tax.
William J. ClintonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.