It seems like everyday we are looking at the long line of yesterdays behind us for wisdom, inspiration and guidance. After all, when we learn from our history, we can hope to not repeat those mistakes. So it looks like we’re going to look to the past again with two books due to be published this fall – or I should say, be republished.
The books are calls Don’ts for Husbands and Wives and they were guidebooks written by a woman named Blanche Ebbutt in 1913. The reasoning behind publishing the books again is that the advice is considered wise, amusing and relevant in our modern world of relationships, marriage and more.
Advice for the Ages
The books were in print until 1933 and were considered very relevant in a world where men worked and wives stayed home to care for the house and the family. The books advised wives to never tell their husbands: I told you so and admonished husbands who criticized or complained about their wives’ cooking.
While we may be a world where men and women both work or wives work from home or even one where couples cohabitate for years before marrying, some of the advice is still pretty much on target including:
- Don’t increase the work of the house by leaving all your things in different places
- Don’t talk down to your wife. She has as much intelligence as your colleague at the office; she lacks only opportunity
- Wives shouldn’t flirt with other men in case they are more successful than they intended and it is like playing with tigers and edged tools and volcanoes all in one
- Don’t make your husband search the house for you after he gets home, listen for him and greet him at the door
- Don’t be discontented with your husband or think him not manly because he happens to be short, thin or not very strong – manliness is more than a physical quality
- Don’t say your wife wastes time by reading even if all she reads is fiction
- Don’t keep all your jokes just for your male friends. Let your wife enjoy them as well
The language is out dated and they are more likely to earn a laugh than a deep breath of admiration, but there’s something to be said for looking back and heeding the advice of our elders. So – some of the advice may not apply in our world, some of it might and shouldn’t we always take advantage of good advice?
The books are due to be published sometime in October. Think you’ll check them out or give them to a spouse?
Related Articles:
Negotiation is the Key to a Successful Relationship
Marriage Advice: Different Styles of Discipline in Your Marriage
Do You Hate Telling Your Spouse No?