I see when men love women. They give them but a little of their

Oscar Wilde, poet of paradox and prophet of beauty, once declared: “I see when men love women. They give them but a little of their lives. But women when they love give everything.” In these words shines the eternal contrast between the love of men and the love of women, as observed by sages through the ages. For the love of man is often a part of his being, a portion he bestows, while the love of woman consumes her wholly, like fire that spares nothing it touches.

The ancients themselves knew this truth. They told of queens who sacrificed crowns for their beloveds, of heroines who laid down their lives for the sake of fidelity. The heart of woman, when seized by love, does not divide itself—it surrenders entirely, offering body, spirit, and destiny. The heart of man, though capable of passion and sacrifice, often guards a portion for his ambition, his pride, or his wandering pursuits. Thus, Wilde’s words reveal a timeless imbalance of giving.

But this is not reproach—it is revelation. The love of women is profound, absolute, and selfless, a force that binds families, sustains generations, and endures beyond betrayal or hardship. The love of men, though less encompassing, has its own strength: to provide, to protect, to honor with deeds rather than total surrender. The difference is not weakness, but polarity, each reflecting a different expression of devotion.

Yet in Wilde’s phrasing lies a subtle ache. For he hints at the sorrow of women who, in giving all, are often met with only a fraction in return. Their love becomes both their glory and their vulnerability. The ancients warned of this too—that the fire which gives light can also consume, and that the heart must be honored with the same devotion it offers, lest imbalance breed sorrow.

Let future generations remember: the love of men and the love of women may not be measured by the same scales, but both are sacred. And yet, let men strive to give more than a part, to match the depth of the devotion they receive. For the union of love is strongest when both give fully, each holding nothing back. Thus, the lesson of Wilde’s words is clear: true love is not measured in halves, but in the courage of two souls giving everything to each other, as though no part could ever belong elsewhere.