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It is fine for a woman to know a lot; but I don't want her…

“It is fine for a woman to know a lot; but I don't want her to have this shocking desire to be learned for learnedness sake. When I ask a woman a question, I like her to pretend to ignore what she really knows.” quote by Moliere
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“It is fine for a woman to know a lot; but I don't want her to have this shocking desire to be learned for learnedness sake. When I ask a woman a question, I like her to pretend to ignore what she really knows.”

Moliere

About This Quote

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

A man prefers women to hide their intelligence, fearing that knowledge for its own sake can be unsettling, revealing gendered expectations about humility.

In simple terms: He wants women to seem less knowledgeable.

Key Takeaway

Value genuine insight over pretended ignorance.

Themes

gender knowledge humility social expectations

Mood

critical ironic

Type

theatrical satirical

When to use this quote

  • dating
  • education
  • workplace dynamics
  • social interaction

Key Concepts

feminist critique philosophy of education

Questions to Reflect On

  • What drives the fear of learnedness?
  • How can we encourage authentic intelligence?
A Different Perspective

Expecting women to conceal intellect is unfair and limiting.

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