We assent to wifedom because we are so used to having…
““We assent to wifedom because we are so used to having someone to blame and so unused to freedom. We prefer self-punishment to the conquest of our fears. We prefer our anger to our freedom. If women were totally conscious of the part of themselves that gives away power to men, the prediction of victory might prove true. But we are far from this self-knowledge. And we move further and further away as we retreat from the psychoanalytic model of the self. As long as we disclaim the importance of unconscious motivations, of the existence of the unconscious itself, we cannot root out the slave in ourselves. Freedom is hand to love. Freedom takes away all the excuses.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage argues that people cling to blaming others and self‑punishment, avoiding true freedom and self‑knowledge; only by confronting unconscious motives can one achieve authentic liberty.
In simple terms: People avoid freedom by blaming others and fearing self‑knowledge.
Key Takeaway
Confront inner motives to gain real freedom.
Themes
freedom
self‑knowledge
psychology
gender
power
Mood
reflective
critical
motivational
Type
philosophical
psychological
feminist
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- therapy
- activism
- relationship dynamics
Key Concepts
unconscious motivation
blame
self‑punishment
liberation
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears keep you from embracing freedom?
- How does blaming others limit personal power?
A Different Perspective
Freedom requires confronting uncomfortable truths, which many resist.