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Art Quote by Will Durant

“are much more beautiful in body than women. It is only a man whose intellect is clouded by his sexual impulse that could give the name of the fair sex to that undersized, narrow-shouldered, broad-hipped, and short-legged race; for the whole beauty of the sex is bound up with this impulse. Instead…” quote by Will Durant
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““are much more beautiful in body than women. It is only a man whose intellect is clouded by his sexual impulse that could give the name of the fair sex to that undersized, narrow-shouldered, broad-hipped, and short-legged race; for the whole beauty of the sex is bound up with this impulse. Instead of calling them beautiful there would be more warrant for describing women as the unesthetic sex. Neither for music, nor for poetry, nor for the fine arts, have they really and truly any sense of susceptibility; it is a mere mockery if they make a pretense of it in order to assist their endeavor to please... They are incapable of taking a purely objective interest in anything... The most distinguished intellects among the whole sex have never managed to produce a single achievement in the fine arts that is really genuine and original; or given to the world any work of permanent value in any sphere.[711] This veneration of women is a product of Christianity and of German sentimentality; and it is in turn a cause of that Romantic movement which exalts feeling, instinct and will above the intellect.[712] The Asiatics know better, and frankly recognize the inferiority of woman. "When the laws gave women equal rights with men, they ought also to have endowed them with masculine intellects.””

Will Durant

About This Quote

Source Book: The Story of Civilization, Volume 1, 1935

The author claims women lack intellectual and artistic merit, attributing perceived beauty to sexual impulse and criticizing cultural veneration as a Christian and Romantic construct.

In simple terms: Women are inferior in intellect and art according to the author.

Key Takeaway

Question the bias and recognize individual capabilities.

Themes

gender bias intellectual hierarchy artistic merit cultural critique sexism

Mood

critical skeptical reflective

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • academic debate
  • gender studies
  • cultural analysis
  • literary criticism
  • philosophical discourse

Key Concepts

essentialism misogyny historical prejudice

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does this perspective align with modern evidence of women's achievements?
  • What cultural factors perpetuate such stereotypes?
A Different Perspective

The view reflects historical misogyny and ignores evidence of women's contributions across fields.

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