Quote by Virginia Woolf
Human relations, at least between the sexes, were carried on as relations between countries are now - with ambassadors, and treaties. The parties concerned met on the great occasion of the proposal. If this were refused, a state of war was declared.
Summary
This quote suggests that in the past, human relationships, specifically between genders, were approached in a formal and diplomatic manner, similar to the way countries interact through ambassadors and treaties today. The act of proposing marriage to a potential partner is seen as a significant occasion where both parties negotiate and determine the terms of their relationship. If one's proposal is rejected, it is viewed as a declaration of "war" or animosity between the two individuals. The quote highlights the complex dynamics and protocols that governed romantic relationships in the past.