A man's best fortune, or his worst, is his wife

A man's best fortune, or his worst, is his wife

Without thee I am all unblessed,
And wholly blessed in thee alone.

Without thee I am all unblessed,
And wholly blessed in thee alone.

There is trouble with a wife, but it's even worse with a woman who is not a wife

There is trouble with a wife, but it's even worse with a woman who is not a wife

So bent on self-sanctifying,--
That she never thought of trying
To save her poor husband as well.

So bent on self-sanctifying,--
That she never thought of trying
To save her poor husband as well.

My fond affection thou hast seen,
Then judge of my regret
To think more happy thou hadst read more

My fond affection thou hast seen,
Then judge of my regret
To think more happy thou hadst been
If we had never met!
And has that thought been shared by thee?
Ah, no! that smiling cheek
Proves more unchanging love for me
Than labor'd words could speak.

He knows little who will tell his wife all he knows.

He knows little who will tell his wife all he knows.

And while the wicket falls behind
Her steps, I thought if I could find
A wife I read more

And while the wicket falls behind
Her steps, I thought if I could find
A wife I need not blush to show
I've little further now to go.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the
bread of idleness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the
bread of idleness.

What is there in the vale of life
Half so delightful as a wife,
When friendship, love, read more

What is there in the vale of life
Half so delightful as a wife,
When friendship, love, and peace combine
To stamp the marriage-bond divine?