"All women are wonders because they reduce all men to the obvious"

Daniel Mainwaring’s observation cleverly juxtaposes the complexity and mystery often attributed to women with a reduction in the perceived layers of men’s character in their presence. The statement “All women are wonders” places women in a realm of fascination and marvel, suggesting that they possess qualities, depth, or even an enigma that captivates the observer. The word “wonders” implies something extraordinary, something that commands attention, admiration, and even awe. This framing quickly establishes women as dynamic, multi-faceted beings whose nature is not easily deciphered or contained.

The second half of the quote, “because they reduce all men to the obvious,” implies a transformation or unveiling that occurs within men under the influence or presence of women. To be “reduced to the obvious” hints that men, faced with women’s fascinating complexity, shed their pretenses and strategies, revealing simpler, perhaps more primal, aspects of themselves. The contrast evokes an intriguing paradox: the more marvelous and multi-dimensional women appear, the more transparent or predictable men become. In other words, the enigmatic qualities of women bring about a sort of clarity regarding men’s behaviors, desires, or motivations, often exposing them as straightforward and basic in comparison.

This interpretation can also reflect on the traditional dynamics of romantic pursuit, where men might adopt various guises or defenses in other contexts, but when confronted by the “wonders” of women, these facades drop away. Men may find themselves guided by instinct, admiration, or reverence, acting in ways that are easily understood or anticipated, thus, “obvious.” The dynamic also subtly acknowledges the emotional power that women hold: their ability to inspire, disarm, or reveal unembellished aspects of those who are drawn to them. Mainwaring’s aphorism becomes a meditation on attraction, mystery, and the startling simplicity that vulnerability can reveal.