Contradictory Quote by Laura Riding
“Woman is the symbol to man of the uncleanness of bodily existence, of which he purifies himself by putting her to noble uses. She thus has for him a double, contradictory significance; she is the subject of his bawdry and the subject of his romance.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Unconscious Meaning of Women, 1935
Women embody both desire and moral restraint for men, reflecting contradictory roles imposed by patriarchal views.
In simple terms: Women are seen as both temptation and moral guide.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge binary gender expectations.
Themes
gender
power
contradiction
morality
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- gender studies
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
patriarchal symbolism
psychoanalysis
social constructs
Questions to Reflect On
- How do such contradictions affect personal identity?
- Can we redefine roles beyond these binaries?
A Different Perspective
These binaries oversimplify complex human identities.
![“She [Venison] had never travelled and so could invent all kinds of strange places without being limited, as travelled people are, by knowledge of certain places only.” quote by Laura Riding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c12/laura-riding-9995_all-kinds_she-venison-had-never-travelled-and-so-c_607803.jpg)
![“The typical white intellectual considers himself superior to ordinary white people for two contradictory reasons: a] he constantly proclaims belief in human equality, but they don't; b] he has a high IQ, but they don't.” quote by Steve Sailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/850/steve-sailer-33384_belief_the-typical-white-intellectual-considers_81076.jpg)
