18th century Quote by Lady Sophia Fermor
““I think it evidently appears, that there is no science, office, or dignity, which Women have not an equal right to share in with the Men: Since there can be no superiority, but that of brutal strength, shewn in the latter, to entitle them to engross all power and prerogative to themselves: nor any incapacity proved in the former, to disqualify them of their right, but what is owing to the unjust oppression of the Men, and might be easily removed.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: The Female Mind by Lady Sophia Fermor, 1765
Women deserve equal rights to science, work, and dignity; oppression is unjust and removable.
In simple terms: Women should share equal opportunities with men.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for gender equality.
Themes
equality
rights
justice
Mood
determined
hopeful
Type
activist
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education access
- workplace policies
- legal reforms
- public discourse
Key Concepts
social reform
gender parity
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we dismantle systemic bias?
- What steps ensure lasting equality?
A Different Perspective
Historical context limits immediate change; societal resistance persists.
![“Let us treat Women as our equals, (says [the 'blubblering dotard' xD Cato]) and they will immediately want to become our mistresses." 'Tis Cato says it, and therefore there needs no proof. Besides, to oblige men to prove all they advance by reason, wou'd be imposing silence upon them; a grievance…” quote by Lady Sophia Fermor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7bd/lady-sophia-fermor-20567_18th-century_let-us-treat-women-as-our-equals-says-th_645168.jpg)
![“But where have [the Men] proved that we are not as capable of guarding ourselves from dangers, as they are of guarding us; had we the same power and advantages allowed us, which they have? (...) Are we safer under their conduct than our own? (...) There is scarce an instance in a million among…” quote by Lady Sophia Fermor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d54/lady-sophia-fermor-20567_18th-century_but-where-have-the-men-proved-that-we-ar_2276231.jpg)
![“We must be at least as well qualified as [Men] to teach the sciences; and if we are not seen in university chairs, it cannot be attributed to our want of capacity to fill them, but to that violence with which the Men support their unjust intrusion into our places. (...) If then we set custom and…” quote by Lady Sophia Fermor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/265/lady-sophia-fermor-20567_18th-century_we-must-be-at-least-as-well-qualified-as_1025823.jpg)
![“I shou'd not myself have thought [Cato] worth so much notice as I have here taken of him; but that the Men are weak enough in general, to suffer their sense to be led away captive, by such half-thinking retailers of sentences. Among whom, This in particular, was he worth the pains, might be easily…” quote by Lady Sophia Fermor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/592/lady-sophia-fermor-20567_18th-century_i-shou-d-not-myself-have-thought-cato-wo_183319.jpg)
![“And the differences thence arising [between the constitution of men and women] are no ways sufficient to argue more natural strength in the one than in the other, to qualify them more for military labours. Are not the Women of different degrees of strength, like the Men? Are there not strong and…” quote by Lady Sophia Fermor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2bf/lady-sophia-fermor-20567_18th-century_and-the-differences-thence-arising-betwe_38711.jpg)
![“By 18th century standards, they [Great Britain] were the freest, most dynamic, most willing to challenge tradition and authority. They had the highest wages and highest living standard, and probably the most engagement between the populace and the government of any country. Then the United States…” quote by Charles R. Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ca2/charles-r-morris-19787_18th-century_by-18th-century-standards-they-great-bri_49883.jpg)
