But, if strength of body be, with some show of reason, the…
““But, if strength of body be, with some show of reason, the boast of men, why are women so infatuated as to be proud of a defect? Rousseau has furnished them with a plausible excuse, which could only have occurred to a man, whose imagination had been allowed to run wild, and refine on the impressions made by exquisite senses, that they might, forsooth have a pretext for yielding to a natural appetite without violating a romantic species of modesty, which gratifies the pride and libertinism of man.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Women are criticized for pride when they claim agency, reflecting double standards in societal expectations.
In simple terms: Women face unfair judgment for asserting themselves.
Recognize and challenge gender double standards.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- workplace dynamics
- media representation
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we address internalized sexism?
- What role does education play in changing attitudes?
The argument assumes all men share the same biases.