# Seven Apophthegms for Women explained — Beyond Good and Evil

> Chapter companion for Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche.

## What happens

A short, sardonic poem presenting seven cynical and stereotypical aphorisms about women, covering themes of vanity, aging, fashion, and the superficial desires attributed to them.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Modernity

Indirectly critiques modern social manners and gender relations through biting, stereotypical aphorisms.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

The voice delivering the aphorisms, adopting a mocking, critical tone towards women.

## Key lines

> How the longest ennui flees, When a man comes to our knees!

Boredom disappears when a man submits.

_Mocks female power and superficiality in relationships._

> Sombre garb and silence meet: Dress for every dame⁠—discreet.

Dark clothing and silence are the discreet dress for any woman.

_Cynical prescription for female behavior and appearance._

> Whom I thank when in my bliss? God!⁠—and my good tailoress!

I thank God and my tailor for my happiness.

_Reduces a woman's joy to vanity and fashion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se/chapters/237
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se/chapters