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The fundamental defect of the female character is a lack…

“The fundamental defect of the female character is a lack of a sense of justice. This originates first and foremost in their want of rationality and capacity for reflexion but it is strengthened by the fact that, as the weaker sex, they are driven to rely not on force but on cunning: hence their…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
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““The fundamental defect of the female character is a lack of a sense of justice. This originates first and foremost in their want of rationality and capacity for reflexion but it is strengthened by the fact that, as the weaker sex, they are driven to rely not on force but on cunning: hence their instinctive subtlety and their ineradicable tendency to tell lies: for, as nature has equipped the lion with claws and teeth, the elephant with tusks, the wild boar with fangs, the bull with horns and the cuttlefish with ink, so it has equipped woman with the power of dissimulation as her means of attack and defence, and has transformed into this gift all the strength it has bestowed on man in the form of physical strength and the power of reasoning. Dissimulation is thus inborn in her and consequently to be found in the stupid woman almost as often as in the clever one. To make use of it at every opportunity is as natural to her as it is for an animal to employ its means of defence whenever it is attacked, and when she does so she feels that to some extent she is only exercising her rights. A completely truthful woman who does not practice dissimulation is perhaps an impossibility, which is why women see through the dissimulation of others so easily it is inadvisable to attempt it with them. – But this fundamental defect which I have said they possess, together with all that is associated with it, gives rise to falsity, unfaithfulness, treachery, ingratitude, etc. Women are guilty of perjury far more often than men. It is questionable whether they ought to be allowed to take an oath at all.””

Arthur Schopenhauer

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Schopenhauer claims women inherently lack justice due to perceived rational deficits, relying on cunning and deception as natural defenses, making truthfulness rare.

In simple terms: He says women are naturally deceitful and lack rationality.

Key Takeaway

Question the stereotype and seek evidence before judging.

Themes

gender justice stereotypes philosophy ethics

Mood

skeptical critical reflective

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • legal testimony
  • interpersonal conflict
  • media representation
  • historical analysis

Key Concepts

rationality deception cunning social roles

Questions to Reflect On

  • Are gendered traits truly innate?
  • How do societal expectations shape perceived honesty?
A Different Perspective

Such sweeping claims ignore cultural and individual variation, and modern evidence disproves biological determinism.

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