Never may an act of possession be exercised upon a free…
“Never may an act of possession be exercised upon a free being; the exclusive possession of a woman is no less unjust than the possession of slaves; all men are born free, all have equal rights: never should we lose sight of those principles; according to which never may there be granted to one sex the legitimate right to lay monopolizing hands upon the other, and never may one of the sexes, or classes, arbitrarily possess the other.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that any claim to exclusive ownership over another human—whether woman or slave—is immoral, asserting universal freedom and equal rights for all.
In simple terms: Ownership of people is unjust; all should be free.
Key Takeaway
Reject domination and uphold equal rights.
Themes
equality
freedom
human rights
justice
gender
Mood
determined
hopeful
critical
Type
philosophical
activist
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- education
- activism
- relationship counseling
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies dismantle entrenched ownership mindsets?
- What steps ensure true equality in practice?
A Different Perspective
The argument may overlook practical complexities of social hierarchies and cultural norms.