"Many men are deeply moved by the mere semblance of suffering in a woman; they take the look of pain for a sign of constancy or of love"

In this quote, Honore de Balzac is recommending that males are frequently easily swayed by the look of a female's suffering. He implies that men may error a lady's expression of pain as a sign of her steady commitment or affection towards them. This might be due to societal expectations and stereotypes that depict females as psychological and depending on guys. Balzac might also be commenting on the tendency of some guys to romanticize a woman's suffering, seeing it as a testament to her love and commitment. Overall, the quote highlights the power characteristics and gender functions that exist in relationships in between men and women.