--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Woman is learning for herself that not…" description: "\"Woman is learning for herself that not self-sacrifice, but self development, is her first duty in life; and this, not primarily for the sake of others ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b20/matilda-joslyn-gage-26773_development_woman-is-learning-for-herself-that-not-s_1213245.jpg" --- # Woman is learning for herself that not self-sacrifice, but… ![“Woman is learning for herself that not self-sacrifice, but self development, is her first duty in life; and this, not primarily for the sake of others but that she may become fully herself.” quote by Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b20/matilda-joslyn-gage-26773_development_woman-is-learning-for-herself-that-not-s_1213245.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b20/matilda-joslyn-gage-26773_development_woman-is-learning-for-herself-that-not-s_1213245.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b20/matilda-joslyn-gage-26773_development_woman-is-learning-for-herself-that-not-s_1213245.jpg) > “Woman is learning for herself that not self-sacrifice, but self development, is her first duty in life; and this, not primarily for the sake of others but that she may become fully herself.” [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A woman’s primary responsibility is to develop herself, not to sacrifice for others, so she can become her authentic self. **In simple terms:** Self‑development is a woman’s first duty. Key Takeaway Prioritize personal growth. Themes self‑empowerment identity responsibility Mood determined inspired Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - education - health - relationships Key Concepts feminism self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance self‑growth with caring for others? - What does “fully herself” mean to you? A Different Perspective Neglecting others’ needs can cause conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-development/) [Self sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-sacrifice/) ## Related quotes > [Self-sacrifice, not self-assertion, is the law of the highest universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/self-sacrifice-not-self-assertion-is-the-law-of-the-highest-universe/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [How much easier is self-sacrifice than self-realization!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/how-much-easier-is-self-sacrifice-than-self-realization/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Christian giving is to be marked by self-sacrifice and self-forgetfuln ess, not by self-congratula tion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stott/christian-giving-is-to-be-marked-by-self-sacrifice-and-self/) [John Stott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stott/) > [“Self-sacrifice is a power issue: inappropriate sacrifice is self-defeating and even destructive because it causes you to lose your power.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-golden/self-sacrifice-is-a-power-issue-inappropriate-sacrifice-is-self/) Stephanie Golden > [“In appropriate sacrifice, the self maintins a solicitude for itself amid caring for others. It also feels a strong connection to other people. Growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-golden/in-appropriate-sacrifice-the-self-maintins-a-solicitude-for-itself/) Stephanie Golden > [Christian giving is to be marked by self-sacrifice and self-forgetfulness, not by self-congratulation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stott/christian-giving-is-to-be-marked-by-self-sacrifice-and-self-2/) [John Stott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stott/) > [Mystical identification transcends the aristocratic virtue of courageous self-sacrifice. It is self- surrender in a higher, more complete, and more complete and more radical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/mystical-identification-transcends-the-aristocratic-virtue-of/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [There is no marvel in a woman learning to speak, but there would be in teaching her to hold her tongue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/there-is-no-marvel-in-a-woman-learning-to-speak-but-there-would-be-in/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [I'm writing a book and working on my one-woman show, Learning To Be Human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-knight/i-m-writing-a-book-and-working-on-my-one-woman-show-learning-to-be/) [Shirley Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-knight/) > [“The sign of a true woman isn't the ability to recite French poetry or play the pianoforte or cook Chateaubriand. 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They are active, capable, determined and bound to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/the-women-of-today-are-the-thoughts-of-their-mothers-and-grandmothers/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Do not allow the Church or State to govern your thought or dictate your judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/do-not-allow-the-church-or-state-to-govern-your-thought-or-dictate/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Women should unite upon a platform of opposition to the teaching and aim of that ever most unscrupulous enemy of freedom--the Church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/women-should-unite-upon-a-platform-of-opposition-to-the-teaching-and/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [The soul must support its own supremacy or die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/the-soul-must-support-its-own-supremacy-or-die/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Both church and state claiming to be of divine origin have assumed divine right of man over woman; while church and state have thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/both-church-and-state-claiming-to-be-of-divine-origin-have-assumed/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [The Christian theory of the sacredness of the Bible has been at the cost of the world's civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/the-christian-theory-of-the-sacredness-of-the-bible-has-been-at-the/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [History is full of wrongs done the wife by legal robbery on the part of the husband. 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Woman's anti-slavery work, her temperance work,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/it-has-not-been-without-bitter-resistance-by-the-clergy-that-woman-s/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [The most stupendous system of organized robbery known has been that of the church towards woman, a robbery that has not only taken her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/the-most-stupendous-system-of-organized-robbery-known-has-been-that/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) [Explore all 21 Matilda Joslyn Gage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) ## More Development quotes > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. 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