Be brave Quote by Laurence Sterne
“Vanity bids all her sons be brave, and all her daughters chaste and courteous.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne, 1759
Vanity pressures men to be courageous and women to be modest and polite, reflecting gendered expectations.
In simple terms: Society expects bravery from men and chastity from women.
Key Takeaway
Question gender stereotypes.
Themes
gender roles
social expectations
virtue
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family upbringing
- education
- media representation
- workplace dynamics
Key Concepts
Patriarchal norms
masculinity
femininity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define bravery and chastity for yourself?
- What pressures do you feel to conform?
A Different Perspective
These expectations can limit individual freedom and self‑expression.
![“Before [Hindus and Moslems] dare think of freedom, they must be brave enough to love one another, to tolerate one another's religion, even prejudices and superstitions, and to trust one another. This requires faith in oneself.” quote by Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fd7/mahatma-gandhi-23_be-brave_before-hindus-and-moslems-dare-think-of_68442.jpg)
