# Quote — Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji

> I have finally realized how rarely you will find a flawless woman, one who is simply perfect. No doubt there are many who seem quite promising, write a flowing hand, give you back a perfectly acceptable poem, and all in all do credit enough to the rank they have to uphold, but you know, if you insist on any particular quality, you seldom find one who will do. Each one is all too pleased with her own accomplishments, runs others down, and so on. While a girl is under the eye of her adoring parents and living a sheltered life bright with future promise, it seems men have only to hear of some little talent of hers to be attracted. As long as she is pretty and innocent, and young enough to have nothing else on her mind, she may well put her heart into learning a pastime that she has seen others enjoy, and in fact she may become quite good at it. And when those who know her disguise her weaknesses and advertise whatever passable qualities she may have so as to present them in the best light, how could anyone think ill of her, having no reason to suspect her of being other than she seems? But when you look further to see whether it is all true, I am sure you can only end up disappointed.

- Author: [Murasaki Shikibu](https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu.md)
- Book: [The Tale of Genji](https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu/the-tale-of-genji.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Murasaki_Shikibu#Tale_of_Genji) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu/the-tale-of-genji/i-have-finally

## More from this book

> Think not that I have come in quest of common flowers; but rather to bemoan the loss of one whose scent has vanished from the air.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu/the-tale-of-genji/think-not-that.md)

> You that in far-off countries of the sky can dwell secure, look back upon me here; for I am weary of this frail world's decay.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu/the-tale-of-genji/you-that-in-far-off.md)

> One ought not to be unkind to a woman merely on account of her plainness, any more than one had a right to take liberties with her merely because she was handsome.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu/the-tale-of-genji/one-ought-not.md)