Quote by Virginia Woolf
A woman knows very well that, though a wit sends her his poems, praises her judgment, solicits her criticism, and drinks her tea, this by no means signifies that he respects her opinions, admires her understanding, or will refuse, though the rapier is denied him, to run through the body with his pen.
Summary
This quote conveys that a woman should not assume that a man's actions, such as sending her poems or seeking her input, indicate genuine respect for her thoughts and intelligence. It suggests that these gestures may merely be a superficial attempt to win her favor, while the man may still disregard her opinions. The phrase "running through the body with his pen" metaphorically implies that the man might attack her verbally or belittle her through his writings. Essentially, this quote highlights the importance of not being deceived by flattery and instead recognizing true respect and admiration.