Let still the woman take An elder than herself: so wears she to him, So sways she level in her husband's heart: For, boy, however we do praise ourselves, Our fancies are more giddy and unfirm, More longing, wavering, sooner lost and worn, Than women's are.

Let still the woman take
An elder than herself: so wears she to him,
So sways she level in her husband’s heart:
For, boy, however we do praise ourselves,
Our fancies are more giddy and unfirm,
More longing, wavering, sooner lost and worn,
Than women’s are.

– William Shakespeare

Twelfth Night, Act 2, Scene 4. Orsino talks about men and women and love to Cesario (Viola), and suggests Cesario marry someone younger than himself. Men are more fickle than women, says the Duke, and more likely to change their love from one woman to another. Women are more committed and faithful with their love, he observes. This foreshadows the end of the play when Orsino’s love does indeed change to another woman.

William Shakespeare Quotes