A story once went the rounds of Israel to the effect that Ben-Gurion described me as 'the only man' in his cabinet. What amused me about is that he (or whoever invented the story) thought that this was the greatest compliment that could be paid to a woman. I very much doubt that any man would have been flattered if I had said about him that he was the only woman in the government!

Summary

In this quote, the speaker reflects on a story circulating in Israel about being praised by Ben-Gurion as the "only man" in his cabinet. The speaker finds it ironic and amusing that someone believed this to be the ultimate compliment for a woman. They doubt that any man would appreciate being described as the "only woman" in the government, highlighting the cultural bias and unequal perceptions of gender roles and abilities. The quote highlights the speaker's awareness of societal misconceptions and challenges traditional gender norms.