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.
14 Hilarious Quotes About the Workplace
13 Funny Quotes About New Year’s Resolutions
15 Quotes That Get to the Heart of Buddhism
The 12 Must-Read Books of 2023
11 Quotes From the Biggest Movies of 2023
8 Quotes From the Trailblazing Women of the Civil Rights Movement
11 Quotes From Famous American Veterans
13 Motivating Quotes To Help You Accomplish Your Goals
The Meaning of Life, in 10 Amusing Quotes
15 Quotes for Every Meal of the Day
50 Quotes From 50 of the Funniest People of All Time