I don't see how a man is to be good for much unless he has some one woman to love him dearly.' 'I think the goodness should come before he expects that.
In George Eliot's "Middlemarch," the discussion centers around the importance of love and goodness in a man's life. One character asserts that a man requires the love of a devoted woman to truly achieve his potential and be of value. This sentiment highlights the belief that personal connections, especially romantic ones, can elevate a man's character and purpose.
However, another perspective is offered, suggesting that a man should first cultivate his goodness before seeking someone to love him deeply. This view emphasizes the need for self-improvement and moral integrity as prerequisites for forming meaningful relationships, suggesting that true worth comes from within rather than from external validation.