BaselAz

“I'm sure that if woman laid out the rules- requirements- early on, and let her intended know that he could either rise up to those requirements, or just move on. A directive like that signals to a man that you are not a plaything-someone to be used and discarded. It tells him that what you have- your benefits- are special, and that you need time to get to know him and his ways to decide if he DESERVES them.
The man who is willing to put in the time and meet the requirments is the one you want to stick around, because tthat guy is making a conscious decision that he, too, has no interest in playing games and will do what it takes to not only stay on the job, but also get promoted and be the proud beneficiary of your benefits. And you, in the meantime, win the ultimate prize of maintaing your dignity and self-esteem, and earning the respect of the man who recognized that you were worth the wait.”
― Steve Harvey, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment

“Don't think you haven't lived long enough to have a story to tell.”
― Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls

“I realized right then and there, in that hallway, that I wanted no other... I became the man she needed me to be because she had sense enough to have requirements-standards that she needed in her relationship in order to make the relationship work for her.
She knew she wanted a monogamous relationship-a partnership with a man who wanted to be a dedicated husband and father. She also knew this man had to be faithful, love God, and be willing to do what it took to keep this family together. On a smaller scale she also made it clear that she expected to be treated like a lady at every turn-I'm talking opening car doors for her, pulling out her seat when she's ready to sit at the table, coming correct on anniversary, Mother's Day, and birthday gifts, keeping the foul talk to a minimum. These requirements are important to her because they lay out a virtual map of what I need to do to make sure she gets what she needs and wants. After all, it's universal knowledge that when mama is happy, everybody is happy. And it is my sole mission in life to make sure Marjorie is happy.”
― Steve Harvey, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment

“روي أن عبد القاهر بن عبد العزيز قال للشافعي يوما: أيما أفضل الصبر أو المحنة أو التمكين؟ فقال الشافعي رحمه الله: التمكين درجة الأنبياء، ولا يكون التمكين إلا بعد المحنة، فإذا امتحن صبر وإذا صبر مكن؛ ألا تري أن الله عز وجل امتحن إبراهيم عليه السلام ثم مكنه، وامتحن موسي عليه السلام ثم مكنه، وامتحن أيوب عليه السلام ثم مكنه، وامتحن سليمان عليه السلام ثم مكنه وآتاه ملكا، والتمكين أفضل الدرجات، قال الله عز وجل (وَكَذَلِكَ مَكَّنِّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الأَرْضِ) وأيوب عليه السلام بعد المحنة العظيمة مكن، قال الله تعالي (وَآتَيْنَاهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ)”
― أبو حامد الغزالي, إحياء علوم الدين