By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton’s ninth novel, “The Custom of the Country,” was published in 1913, the same year her 28-year marriage ended in divorce. At a time when divorce was still considered quite scandalous, Wharton explored the suffocating social mores of high society through the book’s protagonist Undine Spragg. Undine is an ambitious young woman from the Midwest who longs for a life of wealth and glamour, no matter the cost. This quote, while spoken in a flirtatious manner to the man who becomes Undine’s lover, reflects Wharton’s shrewd observations about women’s roles in society. Unlike her protagonist, Wharton was born into an affluent family, never had children, and never remarried following her divorce. Seen in that light, Undine’s life choices become a cautionary tale, and this quote echoes Wharton’s perhaps hard-won belief that making a break can sometimes be the best way to mend one’s sense of self-identity.
20 Surprisingly Insightful Quotes From Children’s Movies
8 Quotes To Inspire You To Be a Gracious Winner
16 Uplifting Quotes That Help Us When We’re Feeling Down
14 Quotes on the Meaning of Racial Equity
Relationship Advice That’s Actually Useful
15 Quotes About the Unbreakable Bonds Among Women
14 Motivational Quotes From Super Bowl-Winning Coaches
12 of the Most Confusing Song Lyrics Ever Written
18 of the Wittiest Quotes of All Time
11 Quotes From Famous American Veterans
12 Hilarious Quotes About Family Get-Togethers