The Kama Sutra

Here ends the efforts of a girl to gain over a man.

There are also some verses on the subject as follows: A girl who is much

sought after should marry the man that she likes, and whom she thinks

would be obedient to her, and capable of giving her pleasure. But when

from the desire of wealth a girl is married by her parents to a rich man

without taking into consideration the character or looks of the

bridegroom, or when given to a man who has several wives, she never

becomes attached to the man, even though he be endowed with good

qualities, obedient to her will, active, strong, and healthy, and

anxious to please her in every way.[49] A husband who is obedient but

yet master of himself, though he be poor and not good looking, is better

than one who is common to many women, even though he be handsome and

attractive. The wives of rich men, where there are many wives, are not

generally attached to their husbands, and are not confidential with

them, and even though they possess all the external enjoyments of life,

still have recourse to other men. A man who is of a low mind, who has

fallen from his social position, and who is much given to travelling,

does not deserve to be married; neither does one who has many wives and

children, or one who is devoted to sport and gambling, and who comes to

his wife only when he likes. Of all the lovers of a girl he only is her

true husband who possesses the qualities that are liked by her, and such

a husband only enjoys real superiority over her, because he is the

husband of love.

FOOTNOTE:

[Footnote 49: There is a good deal of truth in the last few

observations. Woman is a monogamous animal, and loves but one, and likes

to feel herself alone in the affections of one man, and cannot bear

rivals. It may also be taken as a general rule that women either married

to, or kept by, rich men love them for their wealth, but not for

themselves.]