“A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.”

— Gloria Steinem

This quote was popularized by Steinem and is often attributed to her. However, the line was first coined by Australian educator Irina Dunn, as indicated at The Phrase Finder http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/414150.html
Misattributed

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Gloria Steinem 97

American feminist and journalist 1934

Irina Dunn (1948) Australian writer, documentary maker and Nuclear Disarmament Party politician

Parodying 'A man needs God like a fish needs a bicycle.' http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/414150.html

“A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle."
I really hate this expression. I bet fish would totally want bicycles.”

Meg Cabot (1967) Novelist

Source: Princess on the Brink

“Let woman out of the home, let man into it, should be the aim of education. The home needs man, and the world outside needs woman.”

Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American writer

“Live or die, a man and a woman need love.”

David Gemmell book Legend

Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 6
Context: Live or die, a man and a woman need love. There is a need in the race. We need to share. To belong. Perhaps you will die before the year is out. But remember this: to have may be taken from you, to have had never. it is far better to have tasted love before dying than to die alone.

“Sometimes you need a cigarette. Like after you have sex with a beautiful woman or a confused young man.”

Dave Attell (1965) comedian

Comedy Central Presents: Dave Attell

“A good man is as strong as the right woman needs him to be.”

Gregory David Roberts book Shantaram

Source: Shantaram

“When no man steps forward to meet a need, a woman will.”

Leon MacLaren (1910–1994) British philosopher

Adago, John. East Meets West (p. 95)

“The silliest woman can manage a clever man; but it needs a very clever woman to manage a fool!”

Rudyard Kipling book Plain Tales from the Hills

Three and—an Extra.
Plain Tales from the Hills (1888)

“A man needs truth like a machine needs oil.”

Jack Kerouac (1922–1969) American writer

Often attributed to Kerouac's novel Big Sur, the quote cannot be found in that book, nor in any of Kerouac's other published works. It is, in fact, a quote by the Kerouac character in the movie of Big Sur (2013) and therefore composed by the screenplay writer Michael Polish, rather than by Jack Kerouac.
Misattributed

“My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My imagination needs reality like a blind man needs a cane.”

Tom Waits (1949) American singer-songwriter and actor

“A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.”

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Gloria Steinem 97

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