All that a husband or wife really wants is to be pitied a little, praised a little, and appreciated a little
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
The bitterest creature under heaven is the wife who discovers that her husband’s bravery is only bravado, that his strength is only a uniform, that his power is but a gun in the hands of a fool.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
In marriage, a man becomes slack and selfish, and undergoes a fatty degeneration of his moral being.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
One good husband is worth two good wives, for the scarcer things are, the more they are valued.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
A good husband makes a good wife.
—John Florio (1553–1625) British Translator, Italian Scholar, Tutor
Many marriages would be better if the husband and the wife clearly understood that they are on the same side.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
To catch a husband is an art; to hold him is a job.
—Simone de Beauvoir (1908–86) French Philosopher, Writer, Feminist
A good husband is never the first to go to sleep at night or the last to awake in the morning.
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist
I’ve never yet met a man who could look after me. I don’t need a husband. What I need is a wife.
—Joan Collins (b.1933) English Actress
A husband is what’s left of the lover after the nerve has been extracted.
—Helen Rowland (1875–1950) American Journalist, Humorist
At first a woman doesn’t want anything but a husband, but as soon as she gets one, she wants everything else in the world.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
His purity was too great, his aspiration too high for this poor, miserable world! His great soul is now only enjoying that for which it was worthy!
—Queen Victoria (1819–1901) British Royal
Do let him read the papers. But not while you accusingly tiptoe around the room, or perch much like a silent bird of prey on the edge of your most uncomfortable chair. (He will read them anyway, and he should read them, so let him choose his own good time.) Don’t make a big exit. Just go. But kiss him quickly, before you go, otherwise he might think you are angry; he is used to suspecting he is doing something wrong.
—Marlene Dietrich (1901–92) German-American Film Actress, Cabaret Performer
A good husband is healthy and absent.
—Japanese Proverb
I revere the memory of Mr. F. as an estimable man and most indulgent husband, only necessary to mention Asparagus and it appeared or to hint at any little delicate thing to drink and it came like magic in a pint bottle; it was not ecstasy but it was comfort.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Husbands are like fires. They go out when unattended.
—Zsa Zsa Gabor (1919–2016) Hungarian-born Film Actress
The calmest husbands make the stormiest wives.
—English Proverb
You know I won’t turn over a new leaf I am so obstinate, but then I am no less obstinate in being your affectionate Husband.
—William Hogarth (1697–1764) English Painter, Engraver
An early-rising man… a good spouse but a bad husband.
—Gabriel Garcia Marquez (1927–2014) Colombian Novelist, Short-Story Writer
An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets the more interested he is in her.
—Agatha Christie (1890–1976) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
A little in drink, but at all times your faithful husband.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
Personally, I can’t see why it would be any less romantic to find a husband in a nice four-color catalogue than in the average downtown bar at happy hour.
—Barbara Ehrenreich (1941–2022) American Social Critic, Essayist
They are horribly tedious when they are good husbands, and abominably conceited when they are not.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
When you see what some girls marry, you realize how they must hate to work for a living.
—Helen Rowland (1875–1950) American Journalist, Humorist
You—poor and obscure, and small and plain as you are—I entreat to accept me as a husband.
—Charlotte Bronte (1816–1855) English Novelist, Poet
I’ve had the boyhood thing of being Elvis. Now I want to be with my best friend, and my best friend’s my wife. Who could ask for anything more?
—John Lennon (1940–80) British Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Activist
The husbands of very beautiful women belong to the criminal classes.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Some pray to marry the man they love, my prayer will somewhat vary; I humbly pray to Heaven above that I love the man I marry.
—Rose Pastor Stokes (1879–1933) American Socialist, Activist
Husbands never become good; they merely become proficient.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
Those men are most apt to be obsequious and conciliating abroad, who are under the discipline of shrews at home.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
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