David Murray - Leadership for Servants

Want a happy marriage? Marry someone poor and ugly!

Aug 23, 2011 • By David Murray • 12 Comments

Yes, that’s right, forget Prince Charming and look for an ugly sister. (How’s that for a mixed metaphor!)

Time reports the findings of a University of California study:

Lower-class” individuals—i.e., folks without much money or education—demonstrate more compassion and empathy than their wealthy counterparts, according to a series of psychological studies. In social scientist speak, “self-oriented behavior” is more likely to be exhibited by people with good educations, prestigious jobs, high incomes, and overall higher-ranking social status.

This follows hard on the heels of Edinburgh University research into the impact of beauty on ethics. It was published in the journal Economics and Human Biology and concludes “Pretty people are more selfish.” Time explains:

New research suggests that people with symmetrical facial features tend to be selfish and are less likely to cooperate with others. Facial symmetry is believed to have a large hand in how people perceive aesthetic beauty and physical attractiveness…

Attractive people are not only selfish by nature, but also more self-sufficient. They are less likely to ask for help, which kind of debunks that whole damsel-in-distress stereotype.

It all brings to mind the vivid imagery of gold jewels and pigs’ noses, doesn’t it (Proverbs 11:22).

Proverbs 11:22

I wonder what would the male equivalent of that proverb would be?

I hasten to add that my own wife blows this research out of the water!

12 Responses to “Want a happy marriage? Marry someone poor and ugly!”

  1. John Gardner August 23, 2011 at 11:51 am #

    “New research”? Jimmy Soul was all over this story fifty years ago!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh9ZZgDqzAg

    Reply
  2. Se7en August 23, 2011 at 1:11 pm #

    Great save in the last line!!!

    Reply
  3. Paul Tautges August 23, 2011 at 2:31 pm #

    I read this 10 minutes ago and I am still laughing. :)

    Reply
  4. James August 23, 2011 at 2:59 pm #

    Prov 31:30
    Ps 128:3-5

    Reply
  5. Aileen August 23, 2011 at 5:31 pm #

    I would hasten to agree with your wife!

    Reply
  6. Deb August 23, 2011 at 7:26 pm #

    just wondering why the film gave me a purchase price of $15.00 but only a coupon of $5.00?
    Thanks so much

    Reply
    • Nathan W. Bingham August 23, 2011 at 7:31 pm #

      Deb, step two:

      “2. Click on HD Download then ‘Add to Cart’”

      The HD Download is $5. If you don’t change that you add the DVD to your shopping cart which is priced at $15.

      Reply
  7. lex February 12, 2012 at 9:43 am #

    Nice….i totally agree. The idea that 2 beautiful and smart individual staying together forever is really a myth made by Hollywood. I have seen many more ‘incompatible’ couples staying for a long time together.
    http://www.build-chicken-coop-plan.info

    Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks:

  1. Combing the Net – 8/24/2011 « Honey and Locusts - August 24, 2011

    [...] Want a Happy Marriage? Marry Someone Poor and Ugly! — David Murray cites “new research” which claims that rich people and pretty people are more selfish than their counterparts. I don’t know why it took teams of academicians so long to figure this out… Jimmy Soul was all over this story fifty years ago! [...]
  2. Want a happy marriage? Marry someone poor and ugly! | Reformed Biblical Studies - August 24, 2011

    [...] And for this week only, you can also get free shipping on the Angel of the Lord Study Guide. View the original article here Related Posts:TONY JONES ARGUES FOR OPEN MARRIAGE AND POLYAMORYMartin Luther on Marriage as a [...]

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