“The fickleness of the women I love is only equalled by the infernal constancy of the women who love me.”
This witty and cynical observation captures a common human dilemma. The words belong to the celebrated Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. He was a master of paradox and social commentary. This particular quote reveals a deep understanding of romantic frustration. It exposes the painful irony often found in matters of the heart. The line perfectly balances humor with a sharp, almost cruel, honesty about desire and attraction.
In essence, the quote presents a two-sided problem. On one hand, the speaker desires people who are emotionally unavailable or inconsistent. On the other hand, he receives persistent attention from those he does not desire. This creates a no-win situation familiar to many. It is a concise summary of unrequited love and unwanted affection happening simultaneously.
The Source of Shaw’s Wit
This memorable line comes from Shaw’s 1897 play, The Philanderer. Source The play itself is a satire. It critiques the social conventions of late Victorian England, particularly regarding love and marriage. The main character, Leonard Charteris, is a charming but commitment-phobic man. He finds himself entangled with two women: one he pursues and another who pursues him.
Charteris speaks this line to articulate his romantic predicament. The woman he loves, Julia Craven, is volatile and unpredictable. Her