Quote by William Makepeace Thackeray
A woman may possess the wisdom and chastity of Minerva, and we give no heed to her, if she has a plain face. What folly will not a pair of bright eyes make pardonable? What dullness may not red lips are sweet accents render pleasant? And so, with their usual sense of justice, ladies argue that because a woman is handsome, therefore she is a fool. O ladies, ladies! there are some of you who are neither handsome nor wise.
Summary
This quote by 19th-century author and social commentator Oscar Wilde satirically points out society's tendency to prioritize outer beauty over inner qualities. Wilde suggests that women who possess intelligence, virtue, and wisdom like the Roman goddess Minerva go unnoticed if they lack physical beauty or have a "plain face." He highlights the absurdity of valuing attractiveness above all else and criticizes the perception that a woman's beauty automatically renders her unintelligent. Wilde ultimately emphasizes the unfairness and misunderstanding that arise from judging a woman's worth solely based on her appearance.
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