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Twenty years of romance makes a woman look like a ruin; but twenty years of marriage makes her something like a public building.
Oscar Wilde
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote humorously contrasts the toll of romantic love and marriage on a woman's appearance and societal role.

Oscar Wilde's quote reflects on the transformative nature of relationships over time, suggesting that intense romantic involvement can leave a lasting impact on a person, often leading to physical and emotional wear. In contrast, marriage may impose a more institutionalized role, where a woman is perceived less as an individual and more as a representative of domesticity, akin to a 'public building' that serves a function but may lack the allure of romance.

Themes

RomanceMarriageRelationshipsWomenSociety

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the evolution of love over time, this quote could illustrate the changes in perception.

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A little wisdom, now and then

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