18th century Quote by Lady Sophia Fermor
““It must appear to every one (...) a matter of the greatest surprise, to observe the universal prevalence of prejudice and custom in the minds of the Men. (...) If this haughty sex would have us believe they have a natural superiority over us, why do not they prove their charter from Nature, by making use of reason to subdue themselves. (...) But it will be impossible for us, without forfeiting that reason, ever to acknowledge ourselves inferior to creatures, who make no other use of the sense they boast of (...) led away captive by prejudice, and sacrifying justice, truth and honour, to inconsiderate custom””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unknown feminist or philosophical essay, 19th century
The passage argues that claims of natural superiority are unfounded and that prejudice and custom dominate human thought, urging reason over bias.
In simple terms: Prejudice masks false claims of superiority; reason should guide us.
Key Takeaway
Challenge unjust hierarchies with rational thought.
Themes
equality
reason
prejudice
justice
Mood
critical
determined
hopeful
Type
philosophical
political
activist
When to use this quote
- political debate
- educational reform
- personal reflection
- activism
- policy making
Key Concepts
social hierarchy
epistemic bias
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we cultivate reason in societies entrenched in custom?
- What role does education play in dismantling prejudice?
A Different Perspective
The argument assumes a universal capacity for reason, which may not be equally accessible.
![“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)
![“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)
![“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)
![“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)
