“There’s nothing in the world like the devotion of a married woman. It’s a thing no married man knows anything about.”
- October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900
- Irish
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels, plays, and poems such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Salome,” he had a great influence on British literature in the late 19th century through his witty social criticism and humor.
Quote
“There’s nothing in the world like the devotion of a married woman. It’s a thing no married man knows anything about.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde uses irony and humor to comment on the often unequal dynamics in romantic relationships, particularly in marriage. He suggests that while the devotion of a married woman is extraordinary and unmatched, a married man is often unaware of it. This highlights the sacrificial and selfless nature of marital devotion that Wilde attributes to women, which may go unnoticed or unappreciated by their husbands. The irony in Wilde’s remark lies in the assumption that men, who are part of the marriage, are somehow blind to the loyalty and dedication that women offer within the relationship.
Wilde’s comment could be interpreted as a critique of how gender roles and societal expectations often result in the undervaluation of women’s emotional labor and devotion. In many of his works, Wilde examines the complexity and challenges of marriage and romantic relationships, often pointing out the imbalances in how love and devotion are perceived and reciprocated between partners.
In modern contexts, this quote could be understood as a reflection on the gendered expectations within marriage, where emotional labor is often unacknowledged or taken for granted. Wilde’s words invite us to reflect on how devotion is not always mutual or fully appreciated, and how marital dynamics can sometimes be shaped by unconscious biases or societal pressures that affect how men and women experience and give love within a relationship.
