And God Created Woman
23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Gen 2:21-25)
"George, I got a smudge on the fender of my car, could you wipe it off for me please?"
"You bet I will, Dear."
"Hey, Marge! Come look at this!"
"What is it George? You sound all excited about something."
"You will be too when you see what I done!"
"What is it? I don't have all day to..."
"Look at your car. I had it painted, the upholstery replaced, the engine overhauled and new tires put on it. Ain't she a honey!?"
"George, all I asked you to do was wipe off a little smudge."
Man is crazy.
Man is compulsive.
And when a woman is involved, man is insane.
A PREFACE:
Normally I don't preface a study or an article; but in order that this may be read as I intend it by both genders, a qualifying statement must be made.
There has been, I venture to say, no bigger headache for a woman under the sun than is a man. Sometimes it must seem that this world would operate a lot better, and have far less difficulties if man (men) were to stay out of the running of it all together.
I have no doubt there are a great many women shouting "Hallelujah" to this. I would have to agree with them to a large extent.
This said, I will now relate to you something about women as it has been presented to me.
To begin, I will take you back more than half a century to my childhood:
When I was a boy living on my grandfather's farm, one of my responsibilities was to prepare the chicken for plucking. This meant catching the chicken, which was a job in itself because for some odd reason chickens do not like to be plucked (unlike us humans who herd to wallet pluckers). And somehow the chickens seem to know when their time has come to be plucked. This knowledge accounts for many a hen scratches on my face and arms.
I had a chunk of log behind the house that was used for resting the head of the hen who was soon to be plucked. Resting is not quite the proper word because neither I nor the hen was doing much resting. Wrestling might be a more fitting description of the event.
After I had performed the dastardly deed, the details I will spare you, the hen's head then lay peacefully at rest as was intended, but its body was running hither and fro throughout the yard, having no idea what it was doing, nor where it was going, nor why.
And so it is with a man and a maid.
Since the beginning of time, that is since Adam and Eve... I have to add for those who believe in evolution that this might carry billions of years before the time of our first recorded forefathers (and foremothers). But although I have been many things in my life, I can't ever recall being a bug, so I can't speak for the arachnid family. Perhaps someone who believes in both evolution and reincarnation can cover that missing element, since it follows that they at one time must have been one of everything from the beginning; and they are even now returning to such form when their deeds are drastically deficient. I suppose a good memory would help in such a case also.
And God created woman.
From the side of Man God took a rib and crafted a partner for Man.
Many people interpret this to mean that woman is designed to work side-by-side with man. Others take it to mean that woman is to be a pain in the side to man.
I'm inclined to agree with both views.
God created something special in a woman that was left out of man, but is very much desired by man.
I call this: "Feminine Mystique," (mystique meaning "mystery, seductive").
Perhaps you think this "mystique" either does not exist, or it is developed or learned as a girl grows into womanhood. I will have too admit that there are a great many women without this mystique, or who haven't taken the time to develop it. These women are inclined to try and force their way into "Man's" world, using man's nature to fight and connive for that which they want. A sad state of affairs. Woman is given a gift, and refuses to use it.
Have you ever seen a baby girl in a stroller or a crib, not able to speak a word of any language except that of "baby talk." Not even a tooth in that girl's mouth, yet she knows just how to flash a smile, or twinkle the eye in order to get papa's heart to melt. And as she grows, so does her ability to wield her feminine charm.
Watch two toddlers as they play in a sandbox. Neither of these children are even out of diapers. One of the toddlers is a boy, and the other is a girl. Watch. The boy, in order to get that which he wants grabs and whines and threatens. The girl does nothing but blink an eye or turn her head just a bit to the side with a hint of a smile, and whatever she wants, now becomes her's.
Did either of these children learn their techniques for getting what they want? Of course not. Over time they may or may not learn that one technique works better than another. But the method was instilled in them at birth.
Is there any evidence of this Mystique recorded in history? I believe there is.
Let's return to the beginning.
Adam was told not to eat an apple. He was told that the worst possible consequences would come from him eating an apple. Anything else in the world he wanted to do, he could do without fear of consequences: except eat an apple.
Now, I have no doubt whatever that if the serpent had tried to get Adam to eat that apple, Adam would have resisted with all his force. Had Eve threatened or begged or beat on him, I am sure Adam would have easily declined the offer.
The Bible tells us that Eve "gave" the apple to Adam, and Adam ate. I have a picture of Eve lightly stroking Adam's arm as she gently places the apple in his hand and tenderly curls his fingers around the half-eaten globe. I can hear faint, soothing words whispered to the tune of fluttering eyelids: "Now you, my Love."
The subtle, the tender, the melting of the heart is one avenue a woman might take to acquire that which she desires of a man. But along with this technique God has provided another way to a man's emotions. And although it is certainly an effective method, it is one that a woman is not to utilize, and man is to avoid. This method, of course, is woman's sexuality.
This nature is not specific to mankind; we see it all through the animal kingdom. However in most cases, in the animal realm, it is the male who puts forth all the effort he can muster in order to woo the female, and God has supplied him with ample color and pomp with which to woo.
In the Bible we have just such an incident, that of a woman wielding her sexual charm, recorded for us. And the end of this incident brought forth the worst of consequences.
Kings like to party. In fact politicians throughout the world like to party. Probably no country likes to party more than this, the US of A. In fact our politicians like to party so much they call the groups they belong to a "Party."
One day King Herod threw a big bash at his place. Lots of important people there. For entertainment he had his wife, who was married to his brother, while he was already married, her daughter (mixed up family you know), dance for him. Salome was her name (not salome - that's not kosher). It appears she, this girl, knew how to make best use of her feminine wiles, because her dad, or whatever he was, said she could have anything she wanted, up to half his kingdom. I'm a' thinking she must have been mighty young because all she asked for was the head of John the Baptist. That's not much of an investment toward the future.
I for one am not a person who is so easily provoked by such blatant shows of sexuality. That does not mean I am free of such emotions when presented with these displays, not by a long shot. But the emotions they stir soon pass, almost as soon as I turn my head from them.
But such is not so with the subtle shows of affection. These bring out the tenderness, the deep sensitive "man" inside of me. They cause me to lose my head like the poor chicken I described earlier, and follow the source of my feelings wherever she might lead me.
I know I am not alone in this. If for no other reason than these two quotes I present here:
"God gave women intuition and femininity. Used properly, the combination easily jumbles the brain of any man I've ever met. Farrah Fawcett
"No matter how happily a woman may be married, it always pleases her to discover that there is a nice man who wishes she were not." Henry Louis Mencken
Of course the last quote describes, not the susceptibility of the man to tender words and shows of affection, but that of the woman. This to be discussed later.
Being single, and having always been single, there have been a few women pass through my life. And there have certainly been those women who fit the seductress image described above.
But there has been only one who I have met, and have known, who has the "Feminine Mystique" God has instilled in women that melts a man's heart; intended to make a man feel complete.
Fifty years is a long time in anyone's life. Yet fifty is the number of years I have remembered as if it were yesterday that experience of being made to feel fulfilled, to feel complete as a man.
Was it Salome doing her belly dance that enticed me? No. Was it a mini skirted young girl alluring me with her charm and flattering words? No. Perhaps it was the girl voted most beautiful and most popular casting her affections my way? No, it was none of these.
Seduction is an art form. Done properly, making the best use of the Feminine Mystique, both the seductress and the seduced are left feeling fulfilled and complete. Both have achieved the epitome of that which God placed in them to achieve that fulfilment.
It must be kept in mind that seduction, as I refer to it, has nothing whatever to do with sex. Nor does it have anything to do with the brain, at least not on the man's part. Seduction has everything to do with the heart and emotions.
Seduction is not aggressive. Seduction is not even passive. Seduction is a slight pulling back which causes the seduced to feel that he is the seducer. The woman plays her part of woman so well that she makes the man feel manly and confident, even if he is number one contender for wimp of the year.
Any woman can make a man feel like a jerk and a failure. It takes a real woman to make a jerk and a failure feel like he is a man.
I am one of those failure jerks who has had such an experience (and many of them), with a master in the field of seduction. She had the ability to bring out of me what I did not know existed. And here, these many years later, those memories and feelings are just as strong and as clear as if they had happened just this morning.
I have no doubt that many, if not everyone who reads this article pictures in their mind a Geisha, or some passive little girl who's entire purpose in life is to satisfy a man. And there is an element of truth to such a picture.
Being a woman, a complete woman, is a game. It as a game just as being a man is a game. And success comes in how well you play the game.
If the game is to be successfully played, both participants must come out the winner. And the only way to win, is to cause your partner to appear the winner, and to feel he or she is the reason for the game being played at all. If there are any "stars" in the game, that star has to appear to be merely a bit player in the game.
One of the reasons man can not win the game of Man and Woman is that he feels he must be the winner, the star, the "stud." The woman knows this, being aware of man's weak ego, and allows him to feel the way he does, and even builds on his feelings of superiority. And the better she is at puffing up man's ego, meaning her ego is more mature and ruling her heart less than his, the more she becomes the winner of the game.
I always lost. I mean I lost big time when I played the game. In fact I was so far out of contention that I was not even aware such a game existed. I was a prime candidate for the wiles of a woman. My ego was so poor that the only thing I could do was lose. But, because losing is such an important part of the game, at least on the man's part, I felt complete and special when I was with this girl.
One might reasonably ask what the girl received from being a winner in this game of seduction.
Everything.
She won not only everything I could give her, and more if I could somehow obtain it; but more than this, she knew full well that she was the one in charge.
Of course what girl would not desire to be the one who is in control of her situation, especially if that situation happened to be in the field of romance. However, the harder a woman tries to acquire that control, the farther she is from it. By releasing her apparent desire for control, she obtains it freely given by the very one from whom she desires such control.
Losing to win. This is a concept utilized by many religions, therapies, and martial arts. Unfortunately the only ones I see using this tactic anymore are those with, not the good of the relationship, or their partner in the game, but themselves; this being con men and scam artists, and politicians.
For the game of seduction to be played successfully, the woman must have the man so affixed on his emotions that his brain is no longer functional. She must also have his ultimate welfare in mind in order that both players turn out to be the winner. If she has only her own interest in mind, she creates in the man, when his mind has returned to him, one hardened to the wiles of a woman, and very possibly bitter toward them as well. Many men have been led astray while in the gaga state, only to discover afterwards that they are now far off the path they had set for themselves.
Legends are resplendent with such stories of men led astray by women. The Sirens of Greek mythology who by their singing lured ships at sea to their destruction; and the Celtic will-o'-the-wisp who lures men to that which they may never obtain being some prime examples.
On the other hand, history gives us many examples of women who graciously took a back seat of anonymity while thrusting her husband forward into fame and fortune, who won by her husbands success. She knew (and knows) that the game of seduction is a team effort, and not a war of wills.
Women would serve themselves well to learn from women of the past, instead of causing themselves ulcers, heart failures, and other such distresses intended exclusively for a man.
Women have a power far greater than a man's. She was not built to fit into a man's world of labor, although she is certainly capable. Nor was she designed to rule and reign over the multitudes, although she has certainly proven herself more than able. Woman was designed to rule over, with her subtle abilities, the man who rules the nation or the world. If he does not listen to the woman who is placed in a position to guide him, he turns a deaf ear to the wisdom and the sensitivity God has provided for him to rule properly.
It is common for men to be the sole parent in this day and age. There are many men in the position of raising the children. This should not be so. Man is incapable of doing such. This is not to say that there are not many men doing an excellent job with that which they have been left with. But men lack certain qualities that lend themselves to the instruction of children. Boys, we now know, go through a period of developing their feminine nature under the tutorship of their mother, and then are turned over to their father for learning to become a man. Few men are able to draw from themselves the feminine nature needed in that early stage of a boy's development. And as for a girl's nature....?
The African's have a saying: "It takes a community to raise a child." Unfortunately "Civilization" has done away with such communities, everyone scattering in all directions as soon as they can afford a pair of shoes. So their remains no community with which to raise a child. Children are instructed by the media, and the governments, and by rooms full of other squalling children all seeking attention from the few adults who are there to supervise them, but none to instruct.
By our absence we teach our children that they are not important to us, and thereby not important at all. So any of the children who learn the art of seduction does so, not for the good of their mate, but for their own selfish interests.
Women are not the only ones who learn the gentle art of seduction. Men have learned it as well. But what few men learn this art, use it for selfish reasons, as a tool, not for the benefit of their partner.
Of course for every rule, there are exceptions that prove the rule exists as a rule, and not as a final commandment. Some of those exceptions have become legend, and serve as an example for men who wish to polish their feminine side. Examples that come to mind are Cyrano de Bergerac, and the flowery days of chivalry portrayed by the Musketeers; and the Knights of the Code. These were examples of a "Man's Man" brought to the knees of tenderness for the affection of a maid. It is not the Terminator or Dirty Harry way of grab the woman by the hair and drag her to his cave.
Some women like to be dragged by the hair. But I believe most women would much rather be treated with the respect she is due, and be catered to by someone who places her welfare high above his own. Such a woman must look for the feminine qualities he possesses (and must possess herself) in order to be treated in such a manner.
I present here another quote to this effect:
"I love a guy that can be emotional and get in touch with his feminine side. It's really sweet. It says a lot about a man to me." Kelly Rowland
We often read of men discovering that their being seen as "gay" attracts women to them. They appear "safer" and more in touch with the sensitive feelings that a woman has been given and must express.
One time in my life I went through a very intense episode where I was enabled to get in touch with my feelings, and to share them openly. I do so now as well, but at this time I was surrounded almost constantly by women, and also by men seeking the attention of these women.
I noticed that women were not drawn to the men who were flexing their muscles at them. They were attracted to wimpish me (although I had a good physique at that time, being very athletic and into body building). But it was not muscles these girls were looking for. They sought openness and honesty. I had that to give.
Men do not care about open feelings or honesty. They don't care how a woman feels, just so long as the woman says nice things about them, whether she believes them or not. "You are wonderful!!" is what men want to hear; not: "Can I talk to you honestly about how you make me feel?"
It's the Feminine Mystique that seduces, whether it is exhibited by a woman, or a man.
"Mystique" means "mystery." Mystery has the connotation of being unpredictable. Predictability leads to boredom. We desire predictability in our lives. We want to know that tomorrow we will receive a paycheck. We want to know we will be safe, and that our spouse is faithful. We do not want mystery in areas such as these. But a job that adds mystery, something new and different, and maybe even exciting adds pepper to our daily ration of boredom. The husband who comes home every night and plops in front of the TV is not going to instill the same desire in his wife to keep the fires of affection burning at the window as one who occasionally brings home flowers for no particular reason. The wife who wears the same bun hairdo every day and greets her husband with a mop in her hand is not going to receive the same spark of interest as a wife who sometimes hides from him like a giggling child.
There is predictability; and there is play. One must be careful when moving from one to the other that they don't stop half way with predictable play.
Geisha is an act. Geisha is a role a woman plays for the moment. If the geisha is a geisha in real life, she loses her effectiveness. No man worthy of the title is going to feel valuable and manly with a woman who feels she is less than a woman. He can only feel manly and confident when the woman he has "seduced" is strong and confident. If she is not a woman in her own right, and willing to stand up and speak out, then she will not be respected by anyone, and certainly not by the one who is playing the game of seduction with her.
The more "woman" playing the game; the more "man" her partner feels.
There is no glory in winning a game of tennis against someone who always loses. Nor is there any pleasure in playing the game with someone who neither knows how to play, nor really wants to play.
The harder your opponent plays to win (or seems to play), and the more skilled, the greater the "conquest."
This is part of the problem, as I see it, of society today. No one wants to play the game. Everyone insists on being the winner, or at least looking like the winner, so no one feels fulfilled or complete.
It is the woman's role in life to complete the man. This is why God created her. Man tries to pretend he doesn't need anyone, especially a woman. It's his big lie. Without the woman he is less than half a man, and can not function as he was created to. If he lives long enough, he discovers this, often when it is too late.
Woman, when society works the way it should, are able to take control of a family, or whatever she is working in, and make it run the way it should. However, in order for her to do her job, she must make the man feel like he is the one in control and coming up with the right solutions.
Women are now in the role of the man. No one wants to play the role of a woman, except for a few deviant men who are not designed for the job no matter how hard they might try to convince themselves and society that they are.
Because of this only part of the job is being done. Families especially suffer the consequences because no one, except for the grandparents, want to do the job the woman was designed to do.
Man is left without his help meet. His helper has become his competitor.
A tragic loss to society today.
Since I was but a small child I have had the greatest respect and regard for women. I placed them high on a pedestal to be worshiped and adored. And in my life time (that on occasion feels as if it has been an eternity), I have had the great honor and privilege of knowing women who fully warrant such adoration and respect. The love of my life I spoke of earlier being a prime example.
Women are not men. I know that we are being taught today that the only difference between men and women are biological and upbringing. This is not what God says, nor is it anywhere near my own experience.
I am a man. I am far from being a Macho Man, even though I have a physically oriented bent to my manhood.
I have a low regard for men. I have a low regard for myself as a man, that is that manhood which is fully separated from what femininity God has graciously placed in man to keep him from completely destroying himself and the rest of God's creation.
When a man, myself included, exemplifies, thus indicating he possesses the qualities of womanhood: sensitivity toward others, honest emotions, integrity and intelligence - qualities missing in man, I find respect for him. The more femininity he exhibits, without becoming "feminine," the more whole he is, and the more he can be looked up to.
The Bible, as well as just about any of the other religions, point man in just such a direction. Jesus, for instance, was the perfect example of the Man who was fully in touch with his feminine side. There was nothing "unmanly" about Him. He spoke His mind openly in opposition to the established political, religious and intelligentsia leaders of His day. With but a few pieces of string He chased a multitude of men out of the temple while temple guards and the religious leaders could do nothing but stand back and watch. He walked willingly to His death while showing forgiveness to his persecutors.
Yet Jesus showed the greatest of sensitivity and concern for the small child, something not considered manly in His day. He demonstrated the highest regard for women, even women of ill repute, something far from accepted by the men of His day and age. Jesus wept. Jesus referred to Himself as a shepherd concerned with the smallest of lambs, rather than as a mighty warrior the likes of which the Jews were awaiting to be their Messiah.
Jesus was fully masculine, yet fully integrated with His feminine nature.
Jesus was God incarnate. God said He made man in His own image. Jesus was that image. Therefore, the more Man is like Jesus, the more like God he becomes.
And as I read the Bible, I am convinced that God is instructing Man to get in touch with his feminine side, that is, to be like God. That is what "Christianity" is about: being fully integrated. It appears to me that God, in the process of creating "Man" split His nature in two. He gave half to the man, and half to the woman. This is exemplified in the Church, which is the Body of Jesus. The Head and the Body create an entire whole. The Bible refers to this relationship as a marriage: the bringing together of the two parts in order to function as it should. The Bible gives many instructions to the church, as well as to men and their wives, how to live as one complete whole. Concentrate too heavily on one element, that is the man or the woman, and the relationship is off-balance. The Bible makes it clear that each should give more concern to their partner, than expect to be satisfied themselves.
There are two sides to a balance scale.
God tells us we should be man with a woman's nature, but to behave ourselves appropriately according to the gender we were born with. Society tells us we should be neither man nor woman, just people with no such gender distinction.
Unfortunately man listens to the dictates of his society rather than the words of God. Consider Adam and Eve.
We are moving toward a time when that line of distinction will be so blurred as to be unrecognizable. Men behaving like women, and women behaving like men. I feel sorry for the children of this age who know no better having not had the opportunity to have had a reasonable upbringing and thereby have been given a choice.
As I see it, when that line of distinction has been lost, as it had been in Sodom and Gomorrah, in Canaan, and even in Israel, there will be no more need for Mankind as a distinct facet of creation. God's creation can, and would function much better without him.
My personal belief is that God will return one day and do away with all but those who have taken on His nature, that is to be fully integrated with the qualities of both man and woman, yet be fully separated in their behavior.
Times have changed. In my mind, the entire purpose of God's creation has been lost, only to be seen in a very few homes.
I am so thankful I have had the experience I have had with (who were allowed to relate to me fully as such), the only real "woman" I know of. Without that experience I would not know such a thing existed, nor would I understand for what purpose God created woman, and how she can make even a weakling such as I feel strong and confident to move forward.
An after word:
In my opinion the notion that the "Feminine Mystiques" as regarded my Betty Friedman and the Feminist Movement having to do with the traditional view of a woman's worth through domesticity has corrupted the meaning of the word. The two are worlds apart. There is nothing "Mystical" about the drudgery of being a wife and a mother. I hope that those of this generation (after the '60's) can separate the word from the colloquial meaning it has now taken on.
So many of our words have been whitewashed and diminished that our language no longer conveys meaning. I suppose in some ways this isn't much of a loss since it appears to me that not many people mean what they say anyway. And in the area of law and politics, there is always someone with a book of rules or a lie to cover and backstroke any intent of integrity presented.
I make statements as if I believe there are only two ballparks in which to play. This is not my intent at all. I am only trying to re-instill a purpose that I believe has long been lost. I am not one who believes we should all think and act alike. Anyone who knows me at all knows I am one who has lived, and am living a very unorthodox lifestyle. I have no doubts my writings reflect this fact.
But at the same time, I believe it is important that those who decide to live outside the rules, or to change those rules, know about those rules, and have, hopefully, experienced what benefits those rules provide, if any. I am attempting here to relate, to anyone who will listen, my experience of the rules God has established for a Man and a Woman as I have experienced them.
So to clarify, just in case it has been missed above, I am not advocating that women stay at home and raise the kids. Far from it. I am only suggesting that women (and men) add to their lives the special gifts and qualities that God gave each of us. It will make for a better and happier life for both you and your partner.
Not all men are susceptible to the wiles of a woman. And I suppose in their mind they are too "Macho" to be "sucked in."
I feel sorry for them.
In my mind they are missing one of the most important elements that God has instilled in man. And because of that lack, they are not more of a man, but merely half a man.
One of the most common complaints women have when they refer to their marriage is: "The romance has gone out of our marriage."
I suppose the first to utter this complaint is Eve. As far as we can tell according to the Bible they were married for 900 years. That's a long time to keep any spark alive.
Over a period of time, people naturally settle into a "comfort zone." That is, they become who they really are when they were pretending to be something else in order to capture their intended one. If the spark of passion extinguishes quickly after the honeymoon, it is a good indication that the candle of romance was just barely lit when it appeared a flame, or it had very little wick with which to burn so intently for very long.
The game of Man and Woman should not end with the wearing of a ring. It should be a lifetime affair. The problem, as I see it, is that while one might complain about there being no spark left, they are not supplying sufficient fuel with which to keep it burning. Or if one partner (or player) is still in there pitching after the ball game is over, and still feeling frustrated because there is no one up to bat; it is very possible that the one pitching has forgotten one of the main purposes for playing the game.
Winning is not the intent. The purpose of the game of seduction, that of romance, is the same as the purpose in the game of life. The fulfilment of the game is in the playing of the game, and playing with all your might. If no one else wants to play, play anyway. Feel good about yourself that you still have what it takes to play.
Life should be made the most of. So should a marriage. But it is not up to others to make our game interesting and exciting; it is up to us. If we stop making our life interesting, then we are the only ones who can once again move ourself forward. We should not place the burden of our happiness on the shoulders of others. If we do, the one who's shoulders feels the extra weight will very likely move farther from our reach.
Play the game of seduction with that same intent in mind. Play it for your own enjoyment, and try to perfect your skills. Who knows? You just might become so good at it that you will once again ignite a flame in that burnt-out candle of your other half?
Although I am lacking in many areas; in vulnerability to the Feminine Mystique I have been amply supplied.
Many of my most treasured memories are the times I have been led down the garden path by a flutter of an eyelash, a gentle touch on an arm, or a tender word whispered in the ear. It would distress me greatly to have these memories taken from me. And though I am fully in the waning years of my life, I am no less sensitive to or susceptible to the Feminine Mystique.
A Disclaimer:
I know there will be a ton of people who believe, rightly or wrongly, that they do not fit the "stereotype" image I have presented here. And they may well be correct. But before anyone throws stones at me, consider: how many people you see who do fit this image? If you know of one, then my viewpoint may well stand as a testimony to that one.
But I am hoping there are many more who feel as I do. It's great fun being a man when a woman can be fully a woman and bring out the man in me. I would like to think there are many others who have had this experience as well.
Tumbleweed
Quotes
"No matter how happily a woman may be married, it always pleases her to discover that there is a nice man who wishes she were not." Henry Louis Mencken
"Where is the man who has the power and skill To stem the torrent of a woman's will? For if she will, she will, you may depend on't; And if she won't, she won't; so there's an end on't." Unattributed Author
"Man was made when Nature was but an apprentice, but woman when she was a skilful mistress of her art." Unattributed Author
"What is lighter than the wind? A feather. What is lighter than a feather? Fire. What lighter than a fire? A woman. What lighter than a woman? Nothing." Unattributed Author
"I think Nature hath lost the mould Where she her shape did take; Or else I doubt if Nature could So fair a creature make." Unattributed Author
"The virtue of her lively looks Excels the precious stone; I wish to have none other books To read or look upon." Unattributed Author
"Loveliest of women! heaven is in thy soul, Beauty and virtue shine forever round thee, Bright'ning each other! thou art all divine!" Joseph Addison
"Divination seems heightened and raised to its highest power in woman." Amos Bronson Alcott
"Oh, the gladness of their gladness when they're glad, And the sadness of their sadness when they're sad; But the gladness of their gladness, and the sadness of their sadness, Are as nothing to their badness when they're bad." Amos Bronson Alcott
"Oh, the shrewdness of their shrewdness when they are shrewd, And the rudeness of their rudeness when they're rude; But the shrewdness of their shrewdness and the rudeness of their rudeness, Are as nothing to their goodness when they're good." Amos Bronson Alcott
"On one she smiles, and he was blest; She smiles elsewhere--we make a din! But 'twas not love which heaved her breast, Fair child!--it was the bliss within." Matthew Arnold
"Woman's love is writ in water, Woman's faith is traced in sand." Sir Robert Aytoun (Ayton) of Kincaldie,
"But woman's grief is like a summer storm, Short as it violent is." Joanna Baillie
"Not she with trait'rous kiss her Saviour stung, Not she denied Him with unholy tongue; She, while apostles shrank, could danger brave, Last at His cross, and earliest at His grave." Eaton Stannard Barrett
"You see, dear, it is not true that woman was made from man's rib; she was really made from his funny bone." Sir James Matthew Barrie
"Oh, woman, perfect woman! what distraction Was meant to mankind when thou wast made a devil! What an inviting hell invented." Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher
"Then, my good girls, be more than women, wise: At least be more than I was; and be sure You credit anything the light gives life to Before a man." Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher
"One is not born a woman, one becomes one." Simone de Beauvoir
"When a woman behaves like a man why doesn't she behave like a nice man?" Dame Edith Evans
"You see an awful lot of smart guys with dumb women, but you hardly ever see a smart woman with a dumb guy." Erica Jong
"They talk about a woman's sphere, as though it had a limit. There's not a place in earth or heaven. There's not a task to mankind given... without a woman in it." Kate Field
"No matter how happily a woman may be married, it always pleases her to discover that there is a nice man who wishes she were not." Henry Louis Mencken
"In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman." Margaret Thatcher
"Heav'n has no rage, like love to hatred turn'd. Hell a fury, like a woman scorn'd." Congreve
"Beauty, n: the power by which a woman charms a lover and terrifies a husband." Ambrose Bierce
"The strength of women comes from the fact that psychology cannot explain us. Men can be analyzed, women merely adored." Oscar Wilde
"If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base." Dave Barry
"Like a French poem is life; being only perfect in structure when with the masculine rhymes mingled the feminine are." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Debate is masculine, conversation is feminine." Amos Bronson Alcott
"The great question that has never been answered, and which I have not yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is ''What does a woman want?''" Sigmund Freud
"If any human being is to reach full maturity both the masculine and feminine sides of the personality must be brought up into consciousness." M. Esther Harding
"Patience is one of those "feminine" qualities which have their origin in our oppression but should be preserved after our liberation." Simone de Beauvoir
"Women's liberation is the liberation of the feminine in the man and the masculine in the woman." Corita Kent
"Piggy is certainly hard, but that's just part of the job. I don't even think about it. She's also hard because I have to reach down into the feminine part of myself and bring that up. It's not just the surface with her. There are a lot of neuroses in her. So I have to come from a different place with Piggy." Frank Oz
"I love a guy that can be emotional and get in touch with his feminine side. It's really sweet. It says a lot about a man to me." Kelly Rowland
"I don't think I would have been able to stick with it and been proud of who I am and be feminine out on the court. I think I would have folded to the peer pressure if I didn't have my mom to encourage me to be me and be proud of how tall I am." Lisa Leslie
"Femininity appears to be one of those pivotal qualities that is so important no one can define it." Caroline Bird
"It is not possible for a man to be elegant without a touch of femininity." Unknown
"God gave women intuition and femininity. Used properly, the combination easily jumbles the brain of any man I've ever met. Farrah Fawcett
FROM THE BIBLE
21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (Gen 2:21-25)
1This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. (Gen 5:1,2)
2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
9An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. 10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
22As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. (Prov 11:)
4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. (Prov 12:)
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. (Eccl 3:)
3The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. (Mat 19:)
15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1Cor 6:)
3The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Mat 19:)
5And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 10And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery. (Mark 10:)
16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1Cor :6)
21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Eph 5:)
23All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 24That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? 25I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: 26And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. 27Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: 28Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. 29Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. (Eccl 7:)
20My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. 23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: 24To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. 25Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. 26For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. 27Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 29So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. 30Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; 31But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. 32But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. 34For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts. (Prov 6:)
1My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. 2Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. 3Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. 4Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: 5That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
6For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, 7And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, 8Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, 9In the twilight, in the evening , in the black and dark night: 10And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart. 11(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. 15Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 19For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. 21With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. 24Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. 27Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. (Prov 7:)
