The elephant, not only the largest but the most intelligent of animals, provides us with an excellent example. It is faithful and tenderly loving to the female of its choice, mating only every third year and then for no more than five days, and so secretly as never to be seen, until, on the sixth day, it appears and goes at once to wash its whole body in the river, unwilling to return to the herd until thus purified. Such good and modest habits are an example to husband and wife.

Summary

This quote draws a parallel between the behavior of elephants and the qualities desirable in a husband and wife. It emphasizes the faithfulness and tenderness displayed by elephants towards their chosen mates, highlighting their reproductive patterns that involve mating discreetly and only once every three years. The quote further underscores the elephant's ritual of cleansing itself in the river after mating as a symbol of purity and the desire not to rejoin the herd until purification is achieved. By juxtaposing these qualities, it suggests that couples should strive for commitment, modesty, and a commitment to personal growth for a healthy and successful relationship.

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