“ A woman may possess the wisdom and chastity of Minerva, and we give no heed to her, if she has a plain face. ”
William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair (1847). copy citation
| Author | William Makepeace Thackeray |
|---|---|
| Source | Vanity Fair |
| Topic | women beauty intelligence |
| Date | 1847 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/599/599-h/599-h.htm |
Context
“Miss Grits, who has five thousand pounds, and expectations besides, has twice as much character, and is a thousand times more agreeable to my taste; and if she were good-looking I know that you would think her perfection."
Very likely Miss Binny was right to a great extent. It IS the pretty face which creates sympathy in the hearts of men, those wicked rogues. A woman may possess the wisdom and chastity of Minerva, and we give no heed to her, if she has a plain face. What folly will not a pair of bright eyes make pardonable? What dulness may not red lips and sweet accents render pleasant? And so, with their usual sense of justice, ladies argue that because a woman is handsome, therefore she is a fool.” source
Very likely Miss Binny was right to a great extent. It IS the pretty face which creates sympathy in the hearts of men, those wicked rogues. A woman may possess the wisdom and chastity of Minerva, and we give no heed to her, if she has a plain face. What folly will not a pair of bright eyes make pardonable? What dulness may not red lips and sweet accents render pleasant? And so, with their usual sense of justice, ladies argue that because a woman is handsome, therefore she is a fool.” source
Meaning and analysis
