A woman of the world is anxious to exhibit her form and shape

That quote —

“A woman of the world is anxious to exhibit her form and shape, whether walking, standing, sitting, or sleeping. Even when represented as a picture, she desires to captivate with the charms of her beauty and, thus, to rob men of their steadfast heart.”

is often attributed to Gautama Buddha, but it is not an authentic saying from the historical Buddha as found in the Pali Canon or other recognized Buddhist scriptures.

Explanation and Context

This quotation appears in later pseudo-Buddhist compilations and online quote collections, but scholars of Buddhism have found no canonical source for it in early Buddhist texts such as the Dhammapada, Sutta Nipāta, or Majjhima Nikāya.

The language and tone — describing women as deliberately trying to “rob men of their steadfast heart” — do not match the linguistic style, ethical tone, or philosophical intent of the Buddha’s verified teachings. Genuine Buddhist texts discuss attachment, desire, and mindfulness in much broader and more balanced terms, without singling out or moralizing about women in this way.

Summary

• ✅ Claimed author: Buddha

• ❌ Authenticity: Not verified; apocryphal

• ???? Canonical source: None found in Buddhist scriptures

• ????‍♂️ Likely origin: Later moral or pseudo-religious commentary misattributed to the Buddha

In short, this quote is misattributed — it reflects later cultural attitudes rather than the Buddha’s authentic teachings.