why wifes are said to be the "THE BETTER HALF OF THEIR HUSBANDS"

It is not true as you suggest that all men act this way. However, what is true that being in a relationship is good for both people. There is very good evidence to suggest that people in long-term relationships are less stressed and live longer than equivalent single people. It is also true that one of the most successful ways to stop criminals reoffending is to find them a loving partner and they mostly do settle down. Particularly when they have a child and want to provide a better family background than they had. So yes, behind most successful men there is a loving woman. Since I am single that is probably why I am not successful!!!!

Interesting theory, wish it were so. However, I think you'll find that the men who fit your pre-marriage description don't change that much after they get married. It's a myth that marriage is some magic wand that transforms people from one thing into another. People who go into marriages believing that are normally very dismayed to learn they were wrong. As for wives being the "better half," personally, I think if the marriage is built on a firm foundation each spouse in the better half of the other. A case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Most of the strong couples I've met refer to their spouses as their best friends, they feel incomplete without them. This is men and women. While I'm all for a little love to the wives of the world, you've got to be fair. :)