WomannotInferiortoMan:or,aShortandModestVindicationoftheNaturalRightoftheFairSextoa

PerfectEqualityofPower,DignityandEsteemwiththeMen.
bySophia.
London:PrintedforJohnHawkins,attheFalconinSt.Paul'sChurchYard,1739.

[VariouslyattributedtoLadyMaryWortleyMontagu,16891762,andtoLadySophiaFermor,17241745.]

[TitlePage]

WOMAN
NotINFERIORto

MAN:
OR,

AshortandmodestVindicationofthenatural
RightoftheFAIRSEXtoaperfectEquality
ofPower,Dignity,andEsteem,withtheMen.

BySOPHIA,
APERSONofQUALITY.

HowhardistheConditionofourSex,
Thro'ev'ryStateofLifetheSlavesofMan!

Whereforearewe
BornwithhighSouls,buttoassertourselves,
ShakeoffthiswildObediencetheyexact,
AndclaimanequalEmpireo'ertheWorld.
ROWE'SFairPenitent.

LONDON:
PrintedforJOHNHAWKINS,attheFalconin
StPaul'sChurchYard.MDCCXXXIX.
[PriceOneShilling.]

WOMAN
NotINFERIORto
 MAN
CHAP.I.
TheINTRODUCTION.
FacelebratedAuthorhadnotalreadytoldus,thatthereisnothinginnaturesomuchto
bewonderedatasTHATWECANWONDERATALLitmustappeartoeveryone,who
hasbutadegreeofunderstandingabovetheidiot,amatterofthegreatestsurprize,to
observetheuniversalprevalenceofprejudiceandcustominthemindsoftheMen.One
mightnaturallyexpecttoseethoselordlycreatures,astheymodestlystilethemselves,
everywherejealousofsuperiority,andwatchfultomaintainit.Insteadofwhich,ifwe
exceptthetyrannicalusurpationofauthoritytheyexertoverusWomen,weshallfind
themindustriousinnothingbutcourtingthemeanestservitude.Wastheirambitionlaudableandjust,it
wouldbeconsistentinitself,andthisconsistencywouldrenderthemalikeimperiousineverycircumstance,
whereauthorityisrequisiteandjustifiable:Andiftheirbrutalstrengthofbodyentitledthemtolorditover
ournicerframe,thesuperiorityofreasontopassion,mightsufficetomakethemblushtosubmitthatreason
topassion,prejudice,andgroundlesscustom.Ifthishaughtysexwouldhaveusbelievetheyhaveanatural
rightofsuperiorityoverus,whydonottheyprovetheircharterfromnature,bymakinguseofreasonto
subduethemselves.Weknowwehavereason,andaresensiblethatitistheonlyprerogativenaturehas
bestow'duponus,toliftusabovethesphereofsensitiveanimals:Andthesamereason,whichpointsusout
oursuperiorityoverthem,wouldlightustodiscernthesuperiorityofMenoverus,ifwecoulddiscoverin
themtheleastdegreeofsenseabovewhatweourselvespossess.Butitwillbeimpossibleforus,without
forfeitingthatreason,evertoacknowledgeourselvesinferiortocreatures,whomakenootheruseofthe
sensetheyboastof,thanbaselytosubjectittothepassionstheyhaveincommonwithBrutes.Wereweto
seetheMeneverywhere,andatalltimes,mastersofthemselves,andtheiranimalappetitesinaperfect
subordinationtotheirrationalfacultiesweshouldhavesomecolourtothinkthatnaturedesign'dthemfor
masterstous,whocannotperhapsalwaysboastofsocompleteacommandoverourselves.Buthowisit
possibleforustogiveintosuchanotion,whileweseethoseveryMen,whoseambitionofascendancyover
us,nothinglessthanabsolutedominioncansatiate,courtthemostabjectslavery,byprostitutingreasonto
theirgrovelingpassions,sufferingsensetobeledawaycaptivebyprejudice,andsacrificingjustice,truth,
andhonour,toinconsideratecustom?

Howmanythingsdothesemightywisecreaturesholdforundoubtedtruths,withoutbeingabletoassigna
reasonforanyoneoftheiropinions!Thecauseofwhichis,thattheysufferthemselvestobehurriedawayby
appearances.Withthem,whatseemstrue,mustbesobecausethelight,inwhichtheyeyethings,stands
theminthesteadofconviction.Wheretheywantevidenceintheprinciples,fallacyhelpsthemtofillupthe
vacancywithseemingsintheirinference.Inaword,astheysupposewithoutreason,sotheydiscourse
withoutgroundsandthereforewouldhaveasstronglymaintain'dthenegativeofwhattheyassert,ifcustom,
andtheimpressionofthesenseshaddetermin'dthemtoitafterthesamemanner.

Butafewagesago,thebeliefoftheAntipodeswasaheresyinphilosophy.Ignorance,dignifiedwiththe
prerogativeofcustom,andsupportedbytheseemingsofreason,justifiedthecontraryOpinionandthe
gravestPhilosopherswere,oraffectedtobe,sowellconvincedofit,thatitwasanargumentoftheutmost
arrogancetoattempttosetthemright.Andyetthematterhasbeensincesounquestionablyproved,that
nothingbuttheheightofmadness,orthedepthofignorancecannowcountenanceadoubtofit.

Theconstantrevolutionofdaysandyears,determin'dthewiseacresofoldtoassertthatallthecelestialorbs
moveroundtheearth:Andcustom,everprevailingcustom,dragsthemajorpartofourcontemporarybook
wormstofollowtheiropinion.WhereastheverysamePhases,ifwematurelyconsider,mayequallyincline
ustothink,thattheearthitselfisaplanet,andmoveswiththerestoftheplanetsroundthesun.Whatmighty
superiorityofreasonthenhavetheseovergrownboysoverlesserchildren?Botharguealikefrom
appearances:Theformersee,fromthediversify'dpositionsoftheearthandsun,thatthereismotioninone
ofthemandbecausetheyfeelnottheagitationintheearththeystandupon,thereforeprecipitatelyconclude
thatitisthesunmovesroundthem,andnottheyroundthesun.Thelatterinsensibleofthemotionofa
coach,fancy,wheninone,thatthehousespassbythem,andnottheybythehouses.Arenotbothledintheir
judgmentsbylikeprinciples?Yetwiththisdifferencestill,thatthesearelessobstinateinerror,andmore
readytobesetright,thanthey.

InlikemannerthewildsavagesintheIndies,(who,bythebye,areneverthelessofthesamespecieswithour
domesticonesathome)forwantofknowingthemechanismofaclock,areapttoattributeit'smovementsto
invisiblespiritswithinitwhileyourblindfollowersofDesCartesarenotashamedtotakeuponreligious
trustfromhim,thatthewholeanimalcreationarebutdifferentkindsofautomata,orselfmovingclock
worknotwithstandingit'sbeingprettywellknown,thattheirmasterhimselfhadtoomuchsensetobelieve
hisownsystem,havinginventeditonlytoamuseandimposeuponfools.

TheMen,whohavetakencaretoengrosstheaffairsofReligion,aswellasothers,totheirown
management,arenomoreguidedinthatthaninanythingelsebythedictatesofreason.Thereligionthey
werebredupin,theyblindlyprefertoallothers,withoutbeingabletogiveanystrongerproofofit'sbeing
thebest,thanthatitwastheFaithoftheirforefathers.Uponthestrengthofthisprejudice,theyadheretoit
astheonlytrueone,andwithouteverexaminingintoit,orcomparingitwithotherstheycondemnallbeside
itaserroneous.IsnotthisthecasewithmostoftheMen,ourclergynotexcepted?Nocountrypleasesaman
sowellashisownnay,sofarisheapttocarryprejudice,thathecanseldombeinducedtodojusticetoany
othernation,evenwheretruthisonit'sside,ifthehonourandinterestofhisownisatstake:Andthisisa
foibletheverybestMenareequallysubjectto.Nay,suchistheimbecilityofthatsex,aswellasours,that
evenprofessionsareamatterofprejudice.Andafool,ofourown,isoftenmoreacceptableincompanythan
awisemanofanothercalling.Theveryinequalityofstations,whichconstraint,andconfusionhave
introducedamongMen,hasdeceivedmultitudesofthemintoanotionthatthesameinequalityisinMen
themselves.

Ifweallowourselvesbuttimetotracethisdiversityofvulgarerrorsuptothefountainhead,shallwebeable
tofindthemanyothersourcethaninterestandcustom?Andyetsuchistheprevalencywhichcustom,ever
sowronglyintroduced,hasoverthemindsoftheMen,thatitrequiresmuchlessdifficultytoweanthem
fromsentiments,whichtheythemselveshavebuiltonthemostconvincingevidencesofreasonandtruth,
thantodrawthemfromtheprejudiceswhichcustomhasinstilledintothem.

Ishouldneverhavedone,wasItoreckonupthemanyabsurdnotionstheMenareledintobycustom:Tho'
thereisnonemoreabsurd,thanthatofthegreatdifferencetheymakebetweentheirownsexandours.Yetit
mustbeown'dthatthereisnotanyvulgarerrormoreantientoruniversal.Forthelearnedandilliteratealike
areprepossestwiththeopinionthatMenarereallysuperiortoWomen,andthatthedependencewenoware
in,istheverystatewhichnaturepointedoutforus.Sothattoadvancethecontrarydoctrine,aftersolonga
prepossession,mustappearasgreataparadox,asitdidsomeyearsagotoassert,thatonthenethersurfaceof
theglobe,therewereMenwhowalk'dwiththeirheadsdownwardstousandwhethertheonebenotas
agreeabletotruthastheother,willbestbefoundonafairtrial.Butwhatjudgeshallwehaverecourseto,or
whatevidencecanbeadmittedinanaffairofsodelicateanatureasthisonwhichdependstherightofone
halfthecreation,whicheversidemayprevail?

Allthewitnesswedesiretobeallow'd,isplain,undisguisedtruthandiftheMenhavebutgenerosity
enoughlefttoadmitthisevidence,weshallhavenoroomtofearanytheycanbring.Wearewilling,atleast
forcharity'ssaketohope,that,howevertheymaybedisposed,theywillatleastblushtomakeany
exceptionsagainstsounquestionablyimpartialawitness.

Butwhoshallthematterbetriedby?Weourselvesaretoonearlyconcern'dinthedecision,tobeadmitted
evenaswitnessesinthetrial,muchlessthenasjudgesandthesameconsiderationequallyexcludesMen
fromactinginitineithercapacity.Andyetsofararewefromhavinganythingtoapprehendfromthedefect
ofjusticeinourcause,thatiftheMenwereeversolittlemorejustandlesscorruptedintheirjudgmentsthan
theyreallyare,wewouldreadilysubscribetotheirownsentence.Butasthecasenowstands,wemust
appealtoamoreimpartialjudge.

Hithertothedifferencebetweenthesexeshasbeenbutveryslightlytouchedupon.Nevertheless,theMen,
biasedbycustom,prejudice,andinterest,havepresumedboldlytopronouncesentenceintheirownfavour,
becausepossessionempoweredthemtomakeviolencetakeplaceofjustice.AndtheMenofourtimes,
withouttrialorexamination,havetakenthesamelibertyfromthereportofotherMen.Whereastojudge
soundly,whethertheirsexhasreceivedfromnatureanyrealsupereminencebeyondourstheyshould
entirelydivestthemselvesofallinterestandpartiality,andsuffernobarereportstofilltheplaceof
argument,especiallyifthereporterbeapartyimmediatelyconcern'd.

IfaMancouldthusdivestthepartialityattach'dtothisself,andputonforaminuteastateofneutrality,he
wouldbeabletosee,andforcedtoacknowledge,thatprejudiceandprecipitancearethechiefcausesof
settinglessvalueuponWomenthanMen,andgivingsomuchgreaterexcellenceandnobilitytothelatter
thantotheformer.Inaword,weretheMenPhilosophersinthestrictsenseoftheterm,theywouldbeable
toseethatnatureinvinciblyprovesaperfectequalityinoursexwiththeirown.

Butasthereareextremelyfewamongthemcapableofsuchanabstractedwayofthinking,theyhaveno
morerighttoactthejudgesinthismatterthanourselvesandtherefore,wemustbeobligedtoappealtoa
moreimpartialjudge,oneincapableofsidingwithanyparty,andconsequentlyunsuspectedonbothsides.
ThisIapprehendtoberectifiedreason,asitisapureintellectualfacultyelevatedabovetheconsiderationof
anysex,andequallyconcern'dinthewelfareofthewholerationalspeciesingeneral,andinparticular.To
thisJudgeweleaveourcause,bythedecisionofthisweareprepar'dtostandorfallandif,uponthe
evidenceoftruth,reasonshoulddeclareusinferiortoMen,wewillcheerfullyacquiescetothesentence.But
whatifweobtainadecreeinourfavour,uponimpartialexamination?Whythenalltheauthority,whichthe
Menhaveexertedoverushitherto,willappearanunjustusurpationontheirsideforwhichnothingcan
makeatolerableatonement,buttheirrestoringustothestateofequalitynaturefirstplacedusin.Andtill
theydoThat,thefancy'dwrongstheychargeuponourwholesex,tho'butapplicable(ifatall)toavery
smallnumberamongus,whomIdon'thoweverpretendtojustify,canonlybelook'duponasverymoderate
reprisalsupontheirs.

Tosetthiswholemattertheninasclearalightaspossible,itwillbenecessarytoclearourideasfromall
thatishuddledandconfused,byseparatingthefictitiousfromthereal,theobscurefromtheevident,thefalse
fromthetrue,suppositionfrommatteroffact,seemingsfromentities,practicefromprinciple,belieffrom
knowledge,doubtfromcertainty,interestandprejudicefromjusticeandsoundjudgment.Tothisend
thereforewemustexamin,inorder,whatarethegeneralnotionswhichtheMenentertainofoursexon
whatgroundstheybuildtheiropinionsandwhataretheeffectstousandtothemselvesofthetreatmentwe
receivefromthem,inconsequenceoftheirpresentopinion.InthecourseofthislittletreatiseIshallalso
occasionallyexamin,whethertherebeanyessentialdifferencebetweenthesexeswhichcanauthorizethe
superioritytheMenclaimovertheWomenandwhatarethecausesof,andwhoareaccountablefor,the
seemingdifferencewhichmakesthesumoftheirplea.Andif,uponmatureconsideration,itappearsthat
thereisnootherdifferencebetweenMenandUsthanwhattheirtyranyhascreated,itwillthenappearhow
unjusttheyareinexcludingusfromthatpoweranddignitywehavearighttosharewiththemhow
ungenerousindenyingustheequalityofesteem,whichisourdueandhowlittlereasontheyhaveto
triumphinthebasepossessionofanauthority,whichunnaturalviolence,andlawlessusurpation,putinto
theirHands.Thenletthemjustify,iftheycan,thelittlemeannesses,nottomentionthegrosserbarbarities,
whichtheydailypractisetowardsthatpartofthecreation,whosehappinessissoinseparablylink'dwiththeir
own.

CHAP.II.
InwhatesteemtheWomenareheldbytheMen,andhowjustly.
WASeveryindividualMantodivulgehisthoughtsofoursex,theywouldallbefoundunanimousin
thinking,thatwearemadeonlyfortheiruse,thatwearefitonlytobreedandnursechildrenintheirtender
years,tomindhouseholdaffairs,andtoobey,serve,andpleaseourmasters,thatis,themselvesforsooth.All
thisisveryfine,and,amidstaseraglioofslaves,couldnotbutsoundmightybigfromamussulman'smouth.
YetIcannothelpthinkingitofastampwithallthosefantasticalexpressionswhicharemoreeasilyadvanced
thanproved.

Menseemtoconclude,thatallothercreaturesweremadeforthem,becausetheythemselveswerenot
createdtillallwereinreadinessforthem.HowfarthisreasoningwillholdgoodIwillnottakeuponmeto
say.Butifithasanyweightatall,Iamsureitmustequallyprove,thattheMenweremadeforouruserather
thanwefortheir's.Thattheprovinceofbreedingchildrenbelongstousisascertain,asthattheofficeof
gettingthemiswhollytheir's.Andifthelatterentitlesthemtoanydegreeofpublicesteemandrespect,
surelytheformerentitlesustoanequalshareofboth,sincetheimmediateconcurrenceofbothisso
essentiallynecessaryforthepropogationofhumannature,thateitherwithouttheotherwouldbeentirely
useless.Wherethenisthereasonforunderratingus,orclaimingasuperiorityoverus,foranofficeinlife,in
whichtheybearsoequalaproportionwithus?Itistoowellknowntobedissembled,thattheofficeof
nursingchildrenisheldbytheMeninadespicablelight,assomethinglowanddegrading.Whereashadthey
naturefortheirguide,theywouldnotneedtobetold,thatthereisnoemploymentinacommonwealth
whichdeservesmorehonour,orgreaterthanksandrewards.Letitbutbeconsider'd,whataretheadvantages
accruingtomankindfromit,andit'smeritmuststandimmediatelyconfest.Nay,Iknownotwhetheritmay
notappeartorenderWomendeservingthefirstplacesincivilsociety.

Why,ortowhatend,dotheindividualsofhumanspeciesassociatetogether,butforthebetterpreservationof
life,andthepeaceableenjoymentofeverythingconducivetothatpurpose?Donotsuchthenascontribute
themosttothispublicadvantagedeservethegreatestshareofpublicesteem?Andwhoarethesebutthe
Women,inthegenerousdisinterestedemployofnursingtheMenintheirinfancy?

Itisfromthisprinciplethatprincesareconsider'dasthechiefpersonsinthestate,andinqualityofsuch
receivethefirsthonoursofit,becausetheyareatleastsupposedtohavethegreatestshareoftoil,care,and
foresight,fortheprosperityofthepublicweal:soinproportionwepaymoreorlessofthatrespecttosuchas
areunderhimatalesserorgreaterdistancefromhim,becausethenearerorfartherofftheyarefromsharing
withhiminthefatiguesofservingthepublic,themoreorlessusefultosocietytheymustbeconsider'd.For
thesamereasonweareapttoprefersoldierstogownsmenbecausetheyaresupposedtostandasabulwark
betweenusandourenemies.Andallmankindgivetopersonssuchadegreeofrespect,astheysupposethem
tomeritbybeinguseful.Andsincethisisthecasethroughoutlife,arenottheWomen,bytheverysamerule,
entitledtothegreatestshareinpublicesteem,whoareincomparablythegreatestcontributorstothepublic
good?Mencanabsolutelydispensewithprinces,merchants,soldiers,lawyers,&c.,astheydidinthe
beginningoftime,andassavagesdostill.Butcantheyintheirinfancydowithoutnurses?Andsincethey
themselvesaretooaukwardforthatimportantoffice,arenotWomenindispensablywanted?Inapeaceful,
orderlystate,themajorpartofMenareuselessintheiroffice,withalltheirauthority.ButWomenwillnever
ceasetobeuseful,whilethereareMen,andthoseMenhavechildren.OfwhatotheruseareJudges,
Magistrates,andtheirdependentofficersintheexecutionofjustice,anymorethantosecuretheirpropertyto
persons,who,iftheywerenotforbidden,wou'dperhapsbeabletodothemselvesjusticeinamoreexactand
expeditiousmanner?ButWomen,moretrulyuseful,areemploy'dinpreservingtheirlivestoenjoythat
property.Soldiersareesteem'dandrewardedbecauseengagedindefendingfullgrownMen,whoareequally
andoftenmorecapableofdefendingthemselves.Howmuchmorethenisoursexworthyoftheiresteemand
gratitude,wholabourintheirdefence,whenasyettheyknownotwhattheyare,areunabletodistinguish
betweenfriendsandfoes,andarenakedofeverydefencebutthatoftears!Iftheirprincesandstatesmen
sometimesexertthemselvesintheserviceofthepublic,ambitionistheirmotive,andpower,riches,or
splendor,thepointinview.Butourmoregeneroussoulsarebias'donlybythegoodwedotothechildrenwe
breedandnurse:dailyexperienceremindingus,thatallthereturnwecanhopeforfromtheunnatural
creatures,forthealmostinfinitepains,anxieties,careandassiduitiestowhichweexposeourselvesontheir
account,andwhichcannotbematch'dinanyotherstateofcivilsociety,isungratefultreatmentofourselves,
andthebasestcontemptofoursexingeneral.Suchthegenerousofficeswedothem:suchtheungenerous
usetheymakeofthem.

SurelythennothingbutacorruptimaginationcanmakeMenlookuponanofficeofsuchhighimportanceto
themasmeanandcontemptible,oraslessvaluablethanitreallyis.Howlargelyaretheyrewardedwho
succeedintamingatyger,anelephant,orsuchlikeanimals,andshallWomanbeneglectedforspending
yearsinthetamingthatfierceranimalMAN?Iftheforceofthisunjustpartialitybeexamin'dintoweshall
find,thattheonlytruecause,whytheseimportantservices,donebyoursex,havesolittlevaluesetupon
them,istheirbeingsofrequent,andusual.

However,asthepleasurewhichthegenerosityofoursexmakesustakeinthatoffice,issufficienttomakeus
dischargeourselvesofitwiththeutmosttenderness,withoutanyviewofrewardIdonotheremeanto
complainofourreceivingnone.Iwou'donlybegleavetosay,thatourbeingsomuchmorecapablethanthe
malekindtoexecutethatofficewell,nowaysprovesusunqualifiedtoexecuteanyother.Indeed,theMen
themselvesseemtacitlyagreedtoacknowledgeasmuch:butthen,accordingtotheirwonted
disinterestedness,theyarestillforconfiningallourothertalentstothepleasantlimitsofobeying,serving,
andpleasingourmasters.Thattheyareourmasters,theytakeitforgrantedbutbywhattitletheyareso,not
oneofthemisabletomakeout.Andyetsouniversallyreceiv'disthisnotionamongthem,thatitevery
whereprevails,fromtheprincetothepeasant.Nay,Imyselfwasaccidentallywitnesstothedivertingscene
ofajourneymantaylor'sbeatinghiswifeabouttheearswithaneckofmutton,tomakeherknow,ashesaid,
hersovereignlordandmaster.Andyetthis,perhaps,isasstronganargumentasthebestoftheirsexisable
toproduce,tho'convey'dinagreasylight.

Butbethisasitmay,whethernaturedesign'dthemforourmastersornot,iftheirinjunctionswerethesober
dictatesofsoundreason,weshou'dfindtheyokeofobedienceanagreeableweight:sinceobeyingthemwe
shou'dbutsubmitourwilltoreason,andactlikethoseintelligentbeingsweknowourselvestobe.Andthat,
generallyspeaking,theWomenaremoreinclinedsotodothantheMen,whereeverycircumstanceis
parallel,istoowellknowntoadmitofadoubt.Butthenitwou'dbeputtingourselvesuponthelevelwith
brutes,todescendtoacompliancewiththegeneralityoftheircommands,sinceThatalonewou'dsufficeto
degradeus,andrenderusasdespicableastheuprightunfeather'danimalswholaythemuponus.

Mastersthen,ornotmasters,theyhavebutoneofthesetwomeanstochuseinexertingtheirpretended
authority:eitherletthem,asusual,suittheircommandstotheirpassions,inoppositiontoreasonandthen
nonebutWomen,asirrationalasthemselves,willobeythem,apreeminencewhichnoWomanofsensewill
envythem:orletreasonspeakintheirorders,andallWomenofsensewilllistentoittho'theMenshou'd
ticklethemselveswiththenotion,thatourobedienceispaidtothem.

WeretheMentomakechoiceofthelatter,wewou'dindulgethemtheinnocentlibertyoffancying
themselvesmasters,whilewe,pleas'dwithseeingalltheauthorityplac'dinreason,whereitshouldbe,must
knowthateachsexwou'dhavetheprivilegeofconveyingit'sinfluencestotheotherintheirturnsandif
ManhadsteadinessenoughtoconformallhisinjunctionstoWoman,tothedictatesofreason,thesame
steadinesswou'dinducehimtoyieldtothosedictateswhenWomanwasthemeansofconveyingthem.No
matterbywhatmouthreasonspeaks:IfMenwerestrictlyattach'dtoitwhetherweorthemselveswerethe
vehiclesofit'sinfluence,weshou'donbothsidesbeequallydetermin'dbyit.Butthecaseisatpresentquite
otherwise.TheMenwhocannotdenyustoberationalcreatures,wou'dhaveusjustifytheirirrational
opinionandtreatmentofus,bydescendingtoameancompliancewiththeirirrationalExpectations.ButI
hope,whileWomenhaveanyspiritleft,theywillexertitall,inshewinghowworthytheyareofbetterusage,
bynotsubmittingtamelytosuchmisplacedarrogance.

Tostooptosomeregardforthestruttingthingsisnotenoughtohumourthemmorethanwecou'dchildren,
withanytolerabledecency,istoolittletheymustbeserv'dforsooth.Prettycreaturesindeed!Howworthydo
theyappearofthisboastedpreeminence:Toexactaservitudetheywantthecouragethemselvestosubmit
to,fromthosewhomtheirvanitystigmatizeswiththecharacterofweakervesselsandtorequireUstobe
theirdrudges,whomtheyareforcedtocourtanddecoyintotheirpowerbythemostpitifulcringes?Upon
whattitledotheybuildtheirclaimtoourservices,greaterthanwecanshewtotheirs?Havetheyhalfso
plausibleapleaoverUs,asoverthosehaplessSavages,whoseunsuspectinginnocencehasrobb'dthemof
thepowerofguardingagainsttheirunnaturalviolenceandinjustice?Andyetarenotthegeneralityofour
sex,whenweakenoughtoyieldourselves,inpitytotheirfawning,affecteddespair,apreytotheir
dissemination,madethedupesofourcredulousgoodnatureandinnocence?WhereisthereaWoman,who
havinggenerouslytrustedherlibertywithahusband,doesnotimmediatelyfindthespanielmetamorphosed
intoatyger,orhasnotreasontoenvythelessermiseryofabondslavetoamercilesstyrant?

Ifbrutalstrength,inwhichweacknowledgetheirpreeminence,isasufficientplea,fortheirtramplingupon
Us,thelionhasamuchbettertitleoverthewholecreation.Butthatisamoregenerouskindofbrutethan
thosewearespeakingof,thoughnotquitesofierceandungovernable.Andtherefore,hescornstoexerthis
strength,wherehefindstoogreatadisproportioninevenanadversary.

Iallowindeed,weoughttomakeitpartofourbusinesstopleasethepoorthings,iftheattemptwerelikely
tosucceed.Itwouldbequitebarbaroustoletachildcry,ifarattlewouldkeepitquiet.Butthemisfortuneis,
thatitisastudyforlifetofindoutameansofpleasingthesegreater,morestubbornbrats.Ihaveheard,itisa
vulgarproverb,thattheDevilisgoodhumouredwhenheispleased,andifthisproverb,likeothers,be
foundedonexperience,itisaproof,theDevilcanbepleasedsometimes.Iwishasgoodanargumentcou'd
bebroughttoprovethattheMencaneverbepleased.Butsuchisthefantasticalcompositionoftheirnature,
thatthemorepainsistakeninendeavouringtopleasethem,theless,generallyspeaking,isthelabourliketo
provesuccessfulandifeveritdoessucceed,therewardneverpaystheexpence.AndsurelytheWomenwere
createdbyHeavenforsomebetterend,thantolabourinvaintheirwholelifelong.
Iforeseeitmaybeurged,thatwecannotbesaidtospendourlivesinvain,whileweareansweringtheend
ofourcreation:AndaswewerecreatedfornootherendthanfortheMen'suse,ouronlybusinessistobe
subjectto,andpleasethem:Neithershallwebeanswerableforneglectingeverythingelse,becauseGodhas
notgivenusacapacityformore.Butthismustappear,fromwhatIhavealreadysaid,andshallhereafter
shew,beggingthequestionandsupposingwhatshou'd,butcannotbeproved.

Therearesomehowevermorecondescending,andgraciousenoughtoconfess,thatmanyWomenhavewit
andconductbutyettheyareofopinion,thatevensuchofusasaremostremarkableforeitherorboth,still
betraysomethingwhichspeakstheimbecilityofoursex.Stale,threadbarenotions,whichlongsincesunk'd
withtheirownweightandtheextremeweaknessofwhichseem'dtocondemntoperpetualobliviontillan
ingeniouswriter,forwantofsomethingbettertoemployhispenabout,waspleasedlatelytorevivethemin
oneoftheweekly*papers,lestthisageshouldbeignorantwhatfoolstherehavebeenamonghissexin
formerones.

Togiveusasamplethenofthewisdomofhissex,hetellsus,thatitwasalwaystheopinionofthewisest
amongthem,thatWomenarenevertobeindulgedthesweetsoflibertybutoughttopasstheirwholelivesin
astateofsubordinationtotheMen,andinanabsolutedependanceuponthem.Andthereasonassignedfor
soextravagantanassertion,isournothavingasufficientcapacitytogovernourselves.Itmustbeobserved,
thatsoboldatenetoughttohavebetterproofstosupportit,thanthebarewordofthepersonswhoadvance
itastheirbeingpartiessoimmediatelyconcern'd,mustrenderalltheysayofthiskindhighlysuspect.
However,sinceweareassuspectonthataccountastheyare,itmustbetoaslittlepurposeforustodenyit,
unlessitbetoputthemupontheproof.Anddoubtless,creaturesofsuchprofoundwisdomastheseMenare,
ifwetaketheirownword,wou'dneverattempttoassertanythingsopositively,withoutbeingabletobackit
withthebestofproofs.Letusseethenuponwhatgroundstheybuildtheseextravagantnotionsofoursex,
andhowfartheywillstandthetestoftruthandreasonthatwemaygiveintotheiropinionorrejectit.
*
CommonSense.September1,1739.

CHAP.III.
WhetherWomenareinferiortoMenintheirintellectualcapacity,ornot..

INthefirstplacethen,accordingtothem,"thegreatestpartofoursexhavebutshort,lucidintervalsbut
suddenflashesofreasonwhichvanishinaminutewehavearesemblanceofthatplanet,whichisdarkof
itself,andonlyshinesbyborrow'dlightourwithasbutafalselustre,morefittosurprizeadmirationthan
deserveitweareenemiestoreflectionthemajorityofusonlyreasonathazard,thinkbysallies,and
discoursebyrote."Aheavychargethis,tobelaidagainstthemajorityofWomen.Butgrantingit,for
argument'ssake,tobeliterallytrue,isitnotasundeniablytrue,thattheverysamechargemaybeequally
retortedonthemajorityofMen?Andyetwouldtheynottriumphantlyalledgeitasaproofofourweak
sense,werewewiselytoconclude,intheirway,thatthereforealltheMenoughttobeperpetuallyunder
guardianshiptoUs?Alittleexperienceissufficienttodemonstratehowmuchfitterwearetobeguardians
overthem,thantheyaretobesuchoverus.Everyyoungmaidenisqualifiedtobethemistressandmanager
ofafamily,atanagewhentheMenarescarcesusceptibleofthepreceptsofamaster.Andtheonlysure
expedienttoreclaimayoungfellowfromhisexcesses,andtorenderhimusefultosociety,istogivehimfor
guardianaWife,whomayreformhimbyherexample,moderatehispassionsbyherprudence,andwinhim
fromhisdebaucheriesbyherengagingbehaviour.

SofarthenaretheMenfromprovingtheirprinciplebypractice,whentheirinterestisconcern'd.Whentheir
ownprofoundwisdomistooweaktocurbthemoreunrulyamongthem,theyhavenootherrecoursethanto
shelterthemunderourtutelage:Thuscontradictinginfact,whattheyadvanceinwords.Butitisthefearof
makingustooproudofourselves,whichmakesthemcontend,thatwehaveneithersoliditynorconstancy,
muchlessthatdepthofjudgmentwhichtheyveryhumblyascribetothemselves.Whereforetheyaswisely
conclude,thatitmustabsolutelyhavebeenajointeffectofdivineprovidence,andtheirownsovereign
sense,whichdebarr'dusofsciences,government,andpublicoffices.

Whethertherebeanysolidityinthis,willbestappearuponanunprejudicedexamination.Toknowthen,
whethertheWomenarelesscapableofthesciencesthantheMenornot,wemustconsiderwhatisthe
principlebywhichsciencesareattain'dandifthatbewantinginWomen,orlessperfect,therewillbeno
morerequiredtodemonstratethattheMenareintheright.Butifthatprincipleshouldappeartobeasperfect
intheoneasitisintheother,thentherewillbegreatreasontosuspecttheMenofjealousyanditcannotbe
rashtosay,thattheironlyreasonforlockingupfromusalltheavenuesofknowledge,isthefearofour
excellingtheminit.

Itisaknowntruth,thatthedifferenceofsexesregardsonlythebody,andthatmerelyasitrelatestothe
propogationofhumannature.Butthesoulconcurringtoitonlybyconsent,actuatesallafterthesame
manner,sothatinthatthereisnosexatall.Thereisnomoredifferencetobediscernedbetweenthesoulsof
adunce,andamanofwit,orofanilliterateandanexperiencedone,thanbetweenaboyoffour,andaman
offortyyearsofage.AndsincethereisnotatmostanygreaterdifferencebetweenthesoulsofWomenand
Men,therecanbenorealdiversitycontractedfromthebody:Allthediversitythenmustcomefrom
education,exercise,andtheimpressionsofthoseexternalobjectswhichsurroundusindifferent
Circumstances.

ThesameCreator,bythesamelaws,unitesthesoulsofWomenandMentotheirrespectivebodies.Thesame
sentiments,passions,andpropensions,cementthatunioninboth.Andthesouloperatinginthesamemanner
intheoneandtheother,iscapableoftheverysamefunctionsinboth.

Torenderthisstillmoreevident,weneedonlyconsiderthetextureofthehead,theseatofthesciences,and
thepartwherethesoulexertsitselfmost.AlltheresearchesofAnatomy,havenotyetbeenabletoshewus
theleastdifferenceinthispartbetweenMenandWomen.Ourbrainisperfectlyliketheirs,wereceivethe
impressionsofsenseastheydo,wemartialandpreserveideasforimaginationandmemoryastheydo,and
wehavealltheorganstheyhave,andapplythemtothesamepurposesastheydo.Wehearwithears,see
witheyes,andtastewithatongueaswellasthey.Norcantherebeanydifferencepointedoutbetweenany
ofourorgansandtheirs,butthatoursaremoredelicate,andconsequentlyfittertoanswertheendstheywere
madefor,thantheirs.

EvenamongtheMenitisuniversallyobserv'd,thatthemoregrossandlumpisharecommonlystupidand
themoredelicate,areontheotherhand,everthemostsprightly.Thereasonisplain:Thesoul,while
confinedtothebody,isdependentonit'sorgansinallit'soperationsandthereforethemorefreeorclogged
thoseorgansare,themoreorlessmustthesoulbeatlibertytoexertitself.Nowitistoowellknowntoneed
anysupport,thattheorgansinoursexareofamuchfiner,andmoredelicatetemperaturethanintheirsand
therefore,hadwethesameadvantagesofstudyalloweduswhichtheMenhave,thereisnoroomtodoubt
butweshouldatleastkeeppacewiththeminthesciences,andeveryusefulknowledge.

Itcanonlythenbeameandastardlyjealousyinthemtoexcludeusfromthoseadvantages,inwhichwehave
sonaturalarighttoemulatethem.Theirpretextforsodoing,thatstudyandlearningwou'dmakeWomen
proudandvicious,ispitiful,capricious,andapiecewiththeirpractice.No:falseknowledge,andsuperficial
learningonlycanproducesobadaneffect.Fortrueknowledge,andsolidlearningmust,cannotbut,make
Women,aswellasMen,bothmorehumble,andmorevirtuous.Anditmustbeown'd,thatifalittle
superficialknowledgehasrender'dsomeofoursexvain,itequallyrendersmanyoftheirsinsupportable.But
thatisnoreason,whysolidlearningshouldbedenied,ornotinstill'dinto,eitherratheroughtthegreater
painstobetakentoimprove,inboth,everydispositiontothesciences,intoatruerelishfor,andadeep
knowledgeof,themaccordingtotheadviceofoneoftheirbrightestwriters,asapplicabletoanyscienceas
topoetry:

Alittlelearningisadangerousthing
Drinkdeep,ortastenotthePierianspring:
Thereshallowdroughtsintoxicatethebrain,
Anddrinkinglargelysobersusagain.

Itisacommonreceivednotionthatmankindneednotbeknowingtobevirtuous:Whichproceedsfromthis,
thatweseemanypersonswhoarereputedmenofsense,ofveryimmoralcharacters:Andthereforeisit
falselyconcluded,thatknowledgeisnotonlyunprofitableinitselftovirtue,butevenfrequentlydestructive
toit:Whereasitwou'dbenoarduoustasktoprove,thattheknowledgeofourselvesandmanyotherthings,
ishighlyrequisitetocorroborateourpersuasionofourmoralobligations.Sincethechiefreasonwhichisto
beassignedforsomanypersonsfallingintoviceandfollysoprecipitately,orpracticingvirtuesofaintly,is
theirbeingignorantofthemselves,andtheobjectswhichstrikethem:Andhowshalltheyremovethis
ignorancebutbyscienceandstudy?

Iftherehavebeensomeofoursexsoaffectedwiththeirlearningastobecomeassumingtheirfaultcarries
it'sexcusewithit.Eithertheyhavebeensuchashadnotdrankdeepenoughtolearntobehumble:Orthe
uncommonnessofthisadvantageinoursex,andthedifficultiestheymusthavesurmountedwhohave
attain'dtoit,willapologizeforthelittlevanitytheymayhaveshewn.Asapersonoflowrank,whosemerit
andindustryhasraisedhimtoanunusualeminence,maybeexcused,if,feelinghimselfadvanc'dabovethe
sphereofhisequals,heshou'dbeseizedwithsomedegreeofgiddiness.Besidesthat,ifitbeafault,asit's
wantinganapologyprovesittobe,itisafaultwhichtheMenthemselvesdailyfallinto.Andyetneitherin
theMennorintheWomenoughtittobeimputed,asablemish,tothesciencestheymaypossess.Thereal
causeofitis,thattheywhoareversedinanyscience,lookuponthemselvesaspossestofsomething,which
isamysterytothegeneralityoftheWorld.Butletthematterbehowitwill,itismorethanprobable,that,
sincethevanityofthelearnedMengreatlysurpassesthatofthelearnedofoursex,asappearsfromthe
frothytitlestheformerarrogatetothemselves:IfWomenwereadmittedtoanequalshareofthesciences,and
theadvantagesleadingto,andflowingfrom,themtheywou'dbemuchlesssubjecttothevanity,theyare
apttooccasion.

Itisaverygreatabsurdity,toarguethatlearningisuselesstoWomen,becauseforsooththeyhavenotashare
inpublicoffices,whichistheendforwhichMenapplythemselvestoit.VirtueandFelicityareequally
requisiteinaprivate,aswellasinapublicstation,andlearningisanecessarymeanstoboth.Itisbythat,
weacquireanexactnessofthought,aproprietyofspeech,andajustnessofactions:Withoutthatwecan
neverhavearightknowledgeofourselves:Itisthatwhichenablesustodistinguishbetweenrightand
wrong,trueandfalse:Andfinally,thatalonecangiveusskilltoregulateourpassionsbyteachingus,that
truehappinessandvirtueconsistnotsomuchinenlargingourpossessionsasincontractingourdesires.

Besidesletitbeobserved,whatawretchedcirclethispoorwayofreasoningamongtheMendrawsthem
insensiblyinto.Whyislearninguselesstous?Becausewehavenoshareinpublicoffices.Andwhyhavewe
noshareinpublicoffices?Becausewehavenolearning.Theyaresensibleoftheinjusticetheydous,and
thereforearereducedtothemeanshiftofcloakingitattheexpenceoftheirownreason.Butlettruthspeak
foronce:Whyaretheysoindustrioustodebarusthatlearningwehaveanequalrighttowiththemselves,but
forfearofoursharingwith,andoutshiningthemin,thosepublicofficestheyfillsomiserably?Thesame
sordidselfishnesswhichurgedthemtoengrossallpoweranddignitytothemselves,promptedthemtoshut
upfromusthatknowledgewhichwou'dhavemadeustheircompetitors.

Asnatureseemstohavedesign'dtheMenforourdrudges,Icou'deasilyforgivethemtheusurpationby
whichtheyfirsttookthetroubleofpublicemploymentsoffourhands,iftheirinjusticewerecontentwith
stoppingthere.Butasoneabysscallsonanother,andvicesseldomgosingle,theyarenotsatisfiedwith
engrossingallauthorityintotheirownhands,butareconfidentenoughtoassertthattheypossessitbyright,
becausewewereform'dbynaturetobeunderperpetualsubjectiontothem,forwantofAbilitiestoshare
withthemingovernmentandpublicoffices.Toconfutethismannishextravagance,itwillbenecessarytosap
itfromthefoundationonwhichitisbuilt.

CHAP.IV.
WhethertheMenarebetterqualifiedtogovernthanWomen,ornot.

IFyouaredotingenoughtoholdupontrustwhattheMenthemselvessay,youaretotakeitforgranted,that
Womenaresuchsenselessmortalsbynature,astobeabsolutelyincapableoftakingtheleastcareof
themselves."Itistherefore,saythey,acrueltenderness,afalsecomplaisance,toabandonthefairsextotheir
ownconduct.Themoretheyaremadetopleaseandcharm,themoreitimportsthemtoflyfromthose
dangers,towhichtheyareexposedbybeingso."Aplainproofoftheirspeakingfromtheirhearts,istheir
imaginingusweakenoughtobewheedledoutofourlibertyandproperty,bysuchjingling,emptystuff.But
wherehavetheyprovedthatwearenotascapableofguardingourselvesfromdangers,astheyareof
guardingushadwethesamepowerandadvantagesallowedus,whichtheyhave?Again,arewesaferunder
theirconductthanourown?IsitnotmanifestlylaunchingfromScyllatoCharybdis,toflytotheirprotection
fromdanger?ThereisscarceaninstanceinamillionamongWomen,ofoneWomanofamiddlingcapacity,
whodoesnot,orwouldnot,governherselfbetterthanmostMeninparallelcircumstances,ifthe
circumvention,treachery,andbasenessofthatsexdidnotinterfere.WhereasforoneWoman,whoisbetter'd
inunderstandingormoralityundertheirtuition,manymillionsarebetray'dintoinevitableruin.Asthisis
undeniablematteroffact,itneedsnoproofstosupportit.Neitherwillitbearretortinguponus.Forgranting
somefewMentohavesufferedbypetticoatgovernment,thenumberisextremelysmallinproportion.And
wereitequal,theWomen'sconduct,inthiscase,istobechargedwhollytotheMen'saccount,forhaving
robb'dthemofthoseadvantagesofeducation,whichwou'dhaveenabledthemtoactbetter,whichtheywere
susceptibleof,andwhichtheyhadanaturalrightto.ThesameapologycannotbemadefortheMen's
misconductingoverningus:Theyhavealltheadvantagesrequisitetoqualifythemand,if,spiteofall,we
areworseundertheirgovernmentthanunderourowntheconsequencespeaksitself,thateithertheyhavea
naturalwantofcapacity,orwantofhonesty.Theyareatlibertytochusewhichimputationpleasesthembest:
Tho'withoutjudgingrashly,Imightventuretosay,theyhavearighttoboth.Iftheyimagintheycanelude
theforceofthistruth,bysayingthattheMen,whomthisaccusationregards,havenotmadeuseofthe
advantageswhichtheirsexingeneralhas,andthereforemightaswellhavebeenwithoutthemthatnoways
lessensthetruthofwhatIhaveadvancedthatmostWomenareruin'd,insteadofbeingimprov'dinheartor
mindundertheconductoftheMen.Andtherefore,sinceweareatmostinnogreatersafetyundertheir
governmentthanourown,therecanbenosolidreasonassign'dwhyweshou'dbesubjecttoit.

Butitseemswearealreadycondemn'dtoitbyajudgeoftheirownerecting,ablubberingdotard,too
conceitedofhisownsense,tobeimprov'dbythatofhiswifeCato,thewiseCato,whogrownobstinatein
wrongbyageandhumour'dprejudice,choserathertodieafoolofhisownmaking,thanliveamanofsense
byawife'sadvicethisCatohaspronouncedsentenceagainstus.Andsodisinterestedajudge,wecannot
surelyexceptagainst.Letusherethenwhatthisoraclesays.

"LetustreatWomenasourequals,(sayshe)andtheywillimmediatelywanttobecomeourmistresses."'Tis
Catosaysit,andthereforethereneedsnoproof.Besides,toobligementoprovealltheyadvancebyreason,
wou'dbeimposingsilenceuponthemagrievancetowhichtheyareperhapsfullasunequalastheypretend
weare.ButgrantingCatotobeinfallibleinhisassertions,whatthen?HavenotWomenasmuchrighttobe
mistresses,astheMenhavetobemasters?No,saysCato.Butwhy?Becausetheyhavenot.Suchconvincing
argumentsmustmakeusfondofhearinghimfarther.IfwemaketheWomenourequals,"theywilldemand
thattomorrowasatribute,whichtheyreceivetodayasagrace."Butwhereisthegraceingrantingusa
shareinwhatwehaveanequalrightto?HavenottheWomenanequalclaimtopoweranddignitywiththe
Men?IfwehavethewiseCatonods:ifwehavenotCatowou'dhavebeenwiseindeed,toconvinceusof
it.Butsupposingittobeafavour,agrace,whathepleasedtocallitwou'dnottheMenreapthechiefbenefit
ofit?Thereservepeculiartooursex,proves,thatknowinghowtocurbourselves,wearequalifiedtogovern
them,andthemeeknessandtendernesswhichmakepartofourcharacteristic,aresufficienttopersuadethem
thatouryokewou'dnotbeheavy.Butno,saysCato,"wemaythankourselvesforthatsweetnessandreserve
whichtheyshewinourpresence.Thisshadowofvirtueisowingtothenecessityweimposeuponthemof
dissembling."ThenCatoisforcedatlasttoownthatthesubjectionwearekeptunderbythatarrogantsex,is
theeffectofviolenceandimposition?Thishedoestocomplimenthisownsex,withattributingallourmerit
tothem.Asorrycompliment,consideringtheungratefultruthitextortsfromhim.Andyethowagainsthis
grainisittoownanymeritinus.No,wehavebuttheshadowofvirtue,andalltheirimpositionsand
violencecanonlyinduceustodissemble.Isnotthiscallingallhisownsexfools?Forsurelynothingcanbe
agreaterproofoffollyintheMenthantouseviolenceandimposition,andtotakeperpetualpainstosupport
both,onlytomakeusactwithaffectation,whenmuchlesslabourwou'dmakeusshewourselvesinamore
naturallight:Especiallysinceitisimpossibleevertogovernsubjectsrightly,withoutknowingaswellwhat
theyreallyareaswhattheyonlyseemwhichtheMencanneverbesupposedtodo,whiletheylabourto
forceWomentoliveinconstantmasquerade.SothateitheralltheMenaredownrightchangelings,byCato's
ownconfession,orthismightyoraclehimselfisadriveler,andtobeheededbynonebutsuch.

Ishou'dnotmyselfhavethoughthimworthsomuchnoticeasIhaveheretakenofhimbutthattheMenare
weakenoughingeneral,tosuffertheirsensetobeledawaycaptive,bysuchhalfthinkingretailersof
sentences.Amongwhom,Thisinparticular,washeworththepains,mightbeeasilyprovedtohavebeen
oftengrosslyinthewronginothermattersaswellasinthepresentcaseandtherefore,whenhehappensto
beintheright,themeritofitismoretobeimputedtoblindchancethantohiswisdom:Sincethegreatest
fools,whenactive,mayblunderintotherightsometimes:Andgreattalkersamongmanyabsurdities,must
hereandtheredropagoodsaying,whentheyleastdesignit.Ofthisstamp,arethegeneralityofevidence
broughtagainstus.Menavers'dtothelabourofthinkingwhofoundreasonadrudgery,andtherefore,rather
chosetoprostitutethanweditwhohavegain'dalltheirreputationbyaprettygimnessofexpressions,which
wou'dnomorebearexaminationthantheirheads,theirhearts,ortheirfacesandwho(tomimicthissage)
wou'dratherseecommonsenseinconfusion,thanawordmisplacedinoneoftheirsentences.Yettheseare
sagesamongtheMen,andtheirsentencesaresomanydivineoracleswhereasperhaps,hadwelivedintheir
owntimes,tohaveheardthemanymorefoolishthingstheysaidthansensibleones,weshou'dhavefound
themasoafishasthedupeswhoreverethem.Andtho'perhapswemighthavebeenmoresurprizedtohear
suchdotardstalksometimesrationally,thanwenoware,toreadtheirsayingsweshou'dhavehadreason
stilltothinkthemmorefittoextortouradmirationthandeserveit.Carehasbeentakentohanddowntous
thebestoftheirsentences,manyofwhichneverthelessareweakenough:Buthadthesamecarebeentaken
toregisteralltheirabsurdities,howgreatashareoftheirpresentapplausewou'dtheyhavelost!Asthe
infidelobservedtothepriestofNeptune,whenprovingthegod'sdivinityfromthetrophiesinhistemple.

'Tistruetheirpictureswhoescapedyoukeep,
Butwherearetheywhoperish'dinthedeep?

ButwehaveamoreformidablesetofenemiesthantheselaconicgentlemenMenwhopretendtobuildtheir
assertionsuponverygoodgrounds,andwhowou'dscorn,saythey,toexcludeusfrompower,dignity,and
publicoffices,iftheycou'dnotshewusthebestofreasons.Itwillbeproperthereforetoheartheirreasons,
beforeweundertaketosaytheyareinthewrong.

CHAP.V.
WhethertheWomenarefitforpublicOffices,ornot.

ITisenoughfortheMentofindathingestablish'dtomakethembelieveitwellgrounded.Inallcountrieswe
areseeninsubjectionandabsolutedependenceontheMen,withoutbeingadmittedtotheadvantagesof
sciences,ortheopportunityofexertingourcapacityinapublicstation.HencetheMen,accordingtotheir
usualtalentofarguingfromseemings,concludethatweoughttobeso.Butsupposingittobetrue,that
Womenhadeverbeenexcludedfrompublicoffices,isitthereforenecessarilytruethattheyoughttobeso?
Godhasalwaysbeenmoreorlessresistedbyungratefulman,afineconclusionitwou'dbethentoinfer,that
thereforeheoughttobeso.

ButwhydotheMenpersuadethemselvesthatwearelessfitforpublicemploymentsthantheyare?Canthey
giveanybetterreasonthancustomandprejudiceform'dinthembyexternalappearances,forwantofa
closerexamination?Iftheydidbutgivethemselvestheleisuretotracethingsbacktotheirfountainhead,
andjudgeofthesentimentsandpracticesofMeninformerages,fromwhattheydiscoverintheirowntimes,
theywou'dnotbesoopenastheyaretoerrorsandabsurditiesinalltheiropinions.Andparticularlywith
regardtoWomen,theywou'dbeabletoseethat,ifwehavebeensubjectedtotheirauthority,ithasbeenby
nootherlawthanthatofthestronger:Andthatwehavenotbeenexcludedfromashareinthepowerand
privilegeswhichlifttheirsexaboveours,forwantofnaturalcapacity,ormerit,butforwantofanequal
spiritofviolence,shamelessinjustice,andlawlessoppression,withtheirs.

Nevertheless,soweakaretheirintellectuals,andsountunedaretheirorganstothevoiceofreason,that
custommakesmoreabsoluteslavesoftheirsensesthantheycanmakeofus.Theyaresoaccustom'dtosee
thingsastheynoware,thattheycannotrepresenttothemselveshowtheycanbeotherwise.Itwou'dbe
extremelyoddtheythinktoseeaWomanattheheadofanarmygivingbattle,oratthehelmofanation
givinglawspleadingcausesinqualityofcounseladministringjusticeinacourtofjudicatureprecededin
thestreetwithsword,mace,andotherensignsofauthorityasmagistratesorteachingrhetoric,medicine,
philosophy,anddivinity,inqualityofuniversityprofessors.

Ifbyodditytheyunderstandsomethinginit'snatureoppositetothegenuine,unbias'drulesofgoodsenseI
believetheMenwillfinditadifficulttask,toproveanyoddityinsuchafight,oranyrealinconsistenceinit
withrectifiedreason.ForifWomenarebutconsider'dasrationalcreatures,abstractedfromthe
disadvantagesimposeduponthembytheunjustusurpationandtyrannyoftheMen,theywillbefound,tothe
full,ascapableastheMen,offillingtheseoffices.

Imustownindeedinthisage,toseeaWoman,howeverwellqualified,exertherselfinanyofthese
employments,cou'dnotbutasgreatlysurprizeusastoseeamanorwomandrestinthegarbinvogueatthe
timeofQueenBess.Andyetourwonderineithercasewou'dbethesoleeffectofnovelty,oroftherevivalof
anobsoletecustomnewtous.Iffromimmemorabletime,theMenhadbeensolittleenvious,andsovery
impartial,astodojusticetoourtalents,byadmittingustoourrightofsharingwiththeminpublicaction
theywou'dhavebeenasaccustomedtoseeusfillingpublicoffices,aswearetoseethemdisgracethemand
toseealadyatabar,oronabench,wou'dhavebeennomorestrangethanitisnow,toseeagravejudge
whimperingathismaid'skneesor,alordembroideringhiswife'spetticoat:ASchurman,withathesisinher
hand,displayingnatureinit'smostinnocentusefullights,wou'dhavebeenasfamiliarasight,asaPhysician
inhischariot,conningOvid'sArtofLove:AndanAmazon,withahelmetonherhead,animatingher
embattledtroops,wou'dhavebeennomoreamatterofsurprizethanamillinerbehindacounterwitha
thimbleonherfingerorthanapeerofGreatBritainplayingwithhisgarter.Notreasonthen,buterrorand
ignorancecasedincustom,makesthesesuperficialcreaturesthinkitanunnaturalsight.

Therearefewnations,besideourown,whichthinkWomencapableofholdingthescepterbutEnglandhas
learn'dbyrepeatedexperience,howmuchhappierakingdomis,whenundertheprotectionandruleofa
Woman,thanitcanhopetobeunderthegovernmentofaMan.Matteroffactthenplainlypointsoutthe
absurdityofthecontraryprejudice.Howmanyladieshavetherebeen,andstillare,whodeserveplace
amongthelearnedandwhoaremorecapableofteachingthesciencesthanthosewhonowfillmostofthe
universitychairs?Theageweliveinhasproducedasmany,asanyheretoforetho'theirmodestyprevents
theirmakinganypublicshewofit.Andasoursex,whenitappliestolearning,maybesaidatleasttokeep
pacewiththeMen,soaretheymoretobeesteem'dfortheirlearningthanthelatter:Sincetheyareundera
necessityofsurmountingthesoftnesstheywereeducatedinofrenouncingthepleasureandindolenceto
whichcruelcustomseem'dtocondemnthemtoovercometheexternalimpedimentsintheirwaytostudy
andtoconquerthedisadvantageousnotions,whichthevulgarofbothsexesentertainoflearninginWomen.
Andwhetheritbethatthesedifficultiesaddanykeennesstoafemaleunderstanding,orthatnaturehasgiven
Women,aquicker,morepenetratinggenius,thantoMenitisselfevident,thatmanyofoursexhavefar
outstripttheMen.Whythenarewenotasfittolearnandteachthesciences,atleasttoourownsex,asthey
fancythemselvestobe?

CHAP.VI.
WhethertheWomenarenaturallycapableofteachingSciences,ornot.

OFRhetoric,wemustbeallow'dtobebynaturedesign'dmistressesandmodels.Eloquenceisatalentso
naturalandpeculiartoWoman,thatnoonecandisputeither.Womencanpersuadewhattheypleaseandcan
dictate,defend,ordistinguishbetweenrightandwrong,withoutthehelpoflaws.Therearefewjudges,who
havenotprovedthemthemostprevalentcounselandfewpleaders,whohavenotexperiencedthemtobe
themostclearheaded,equitablejudges.WhenWomenspeakonasubject,theyhandleitwithsodelicatea
touch,thattheMenareforcedtoowntheyfeelwhattheformersay.Alltheoratoryoftheschoolsisnotable
togivetheMenthateloquenceandeaseofspeech,whichcostsusnothing.Andthat,whichtheirmeanenvy
callsloquacityinus,isonlyareadinessofideas,andaneaseofdelivery,whichtheyinvainlabour,for
years,toattainto.

Withwhathesitation,confusion,anddrudgery,donottheMenlabourtobringforththeirthoughts?And
whentheydouttersomethingtolerable,withwhatinsipidgestures,distortions,andgrimaces,dotheymurder
thefewgoodthingstheysay?Whereas,whenaWomenspeaks,herairisgenerallynobleandpreventing,her
gesturefree,andfullofdignity,heractionisdecent,herwordsareeasyandinsinuating,herstileispathetic
andwinning,andhervoicemelodious,andtunedtohersubject.Shecansoartoalevelwiththehighest
intellectwithoutbombast,andwithacomplacencynaturaltothedelicacyofherframe,descendtothe
meanestcapacitywithoutmeanness.Whatisthereweareunfittoreasonupon,whichdoesnotoffendagainst
decency?Whenwediscourseofgoodorevil,itiswellknownwearecapableofwinningtotheone,and
weaningfromtheother,themostobstinateMen,iftheyhavebutmindssusceptibleofreasonandargument:
Andthatcharacterofintegrity,whichisimprintedonourcountenanceswhilewespeak,rendersourpowerof
persuasionmoreprevalent.Surethen,ifweareendow'dwithamorecommunicativeeloquencethanthey
are,wemustbeatleastaswellqualifiedastheytoteachthesciencesandifwearenotseeninuniversity
chairs,itcannotbeattributedtoourwantofcapacitytofillthem,buttothatviolencewithwhichtheMen
supporttheirunjustintrusionintoourplacesor,ifnot,atleasttoourgreatermodestyandlessdegreeof
ambition.
Ifweweretoapplytothelaw,weshou'dsucceedinitatleastaswellastheMen.Thenaturaltalentwehave
undisputed,ofexplainingandunravelingthemostknottyintricacies,ofstatingourownandotherpeople's
pretensions,ofdiscoveringthegroundsofadispute,withthemeanstosetitright,andofsettingenginesto
worktodoourselvesjustice,issufficienttoprovethat,werewetofilltheofficesofcounsel,judges,and
magistrates,weshou'dshewacapacityinbusinesswhichveryfewMencanboastof.Butpeaceandjustice
isourstudy,andourprideistomakeupthosebreacheswhichthecorruptionofthatsexmakesthembut
industrioustowiden.

Oursexseemsborntoteachandpractisephysictorestorehealthtothesick,andpreserveittothewell.
Neatness,handyness,andcomplianceareonehalfofapatient'scureandinthistheMenmustyieldtous.
Indeedinourturnswemustyieldtothemintheartofinventinghardnames,andpuzzlingacurewiththe
number,aswellasaddingtoapatient'sgrievancewiththecostlinessofremedies.Butwecaninvent,and
haveinvented,withoutthehelpofGalen,orHippocrates,aninfinityofreliefsforthesick,whichtheyand
theirblindadherentscou'dneitherimprovenordisapprove.Andanoldwoman'sreceipt,asitisterm'd,has
oftenbeenknowntoremoveaninveteratedistemperwhichhasbaffledtheresearchesofacollegeof
graduates.Inaword,theobservationsmadebyWomenintheirpractice,havebeensoexact,andbuiltupon
suchsolidreason,astoshewmorethanoncetheuselesspedantryofthemajorpartofschoolsystems.

Ihardlybelieveoursexwou'dspendsomanyyearstosolittlepurposeasthoseMendo,whocallthemselves
philosopherswerewetoapplytothestudyofnature.ButIbelievewecou'dpointoutamuchshorterroad
tothedesiredend.Weshou'dscarcelydolikesomeMenwhowastewholeyears(nottomentionmanyof
themwhodwellforlife)onmereEntiaRationis,fictitioustrifles,nowheretobefoundbutintheirown
noddles.Weshou'dfindmoreusefulemploymentsforourinquiries,thanidlyploddingtofindoutwhether
beyondtheutmostcircumferenceoftheuniversetherebeanyimaginaryspace,andwhetherthatinfantof
ourowndreambeinfiniteorfinite:whetheranatombesplittableintoinfiniteparts,orhowacolumnofair
uponaman'shead,reachingtothesky,shallfeellessheavythanahobnail.

WerewetoexpressourconceptionsofGod,itwou'dneverenterintotheheadofanyoneofustodescribe
himasavenerableoldman.No,wehaveamorenobleideaofhim,thantocomparehimtoanything
created.WeconceivethattheremustbeaGod,becausewearesensiblethatneitherwenortheobjectswhich
surroundsuscanbetheworksofchance,orofselfproduction.Andaswedailyseethatthesuccess,which
attendsourundertakings,isscarceeverthenaturaleffectofthemeanswemakeuseoftoattaintoit,weare
convincedthattheconductofouraffairsisnottheconsequenceofourownprudenceandthereforeconclude
thatitmustbetheeffectofasuperior,general,providence.Weshou'dnevertakeitintoourheadstorun
divisionsuponourownchimericalhypotheses,andtofillavolumetoansweranimpossible:aswhether,if
Manhadnotsinned,theSonofGodwou'dhavedied:orwhetherbysupernaturalpowerastonecou'dbe
liftedtothebeatificvision.Andyetwemightwithoutvanityaspiretobeingasablephilosophersordivines
astheMen,perhapsbetter:IfIunderstandrightlythesenseofthosewords.Andsurelyphilosophersand
divines,accordingtotheacceptationofthewords,aresuchasareperfectlyversedinthesecretsofnature
andmysteriesofreligion.Ifso,asweknowthatthechieffruitofalllearningisajustdiscernmentoftrue
fromfalse,andofevidencefromobscurity,weareequallycapableofboth.Andwerewetoaimatbeing
both,weshou'dmakeitourbusinesstoformasjustideasofthedivinityandit'srevelationsastheweakness
ofhumannaturewou'dpermit,andtotracenatureuptoit'struesourceinallit'seffects.Andasweare
sensiblethattheknowledgeofourselves,andtheobjectsaboutus,areabsolutelynecessarytorenderthe
aforementionedknowledgesusefulweshou'd,insteadoflosingtimeinthetrifles,whichengrossthestudies
ofthegeneralityofmalephilosophers,applyourselvestotheobservationofourselvesandthedifferent
objectswhichenvironus,inordertofindoutinwhattheyrelateto,ordifferfrom,usandbywhat
applicationstheymaybebeneficialorobnoxioustous,andtotheendtheyweregivenusfor.Mightwenot
thenbythismeansbebothaslearnedphilosophersandasabledivinesastheMen,ascapableofbeing
taught,andassuccessfulinteaching,atleast,astheyare?

PracticesufficientlyspeaksusnolesschristianthantheMen:Wereceivethegospelwithreverenceand
humility,andsubmittoitsdoctrinesandpreceptsinamoreexemplarymannerthanthegeneralityofthem.I
own,someofoursexhavecarriedtheirworshiptosuperstitiouslengthsbuthavenotmanyoftheMendone
sotoo?Andyetthelatterarethemostculpable:Sincetheignoranceinwhichtheformerhavebeenbred
reflectsallthereproachontheMenthemselves,fornotgivingthemthemeanstoavoidsuperstition.
Whereforeiftheirzealhasbeenindiscreet,theirintentionhasbeengood:Andwemayventuretoaffirm,
fromtheeagernesstheyshew'dinembracingreligionandcleavingsoclosetoitunderallthedisadvantages
itappear'dtothemin,theywou'dhaveasfirmlyadheredtotruepietyhadtheyobtain'daclearerlightofit.

Whatshou'dhinderusfromregulatingourmindsbythefaithanddisciplinofChristandhischurch?Ifwe
lay'dthefoundationofphilosophyandscholasticdivinityshou'dwenotbeasableastheMen,inthe
progressofourstudies,tounderstand,compare,andinterprettheholyscriptures,thewritingsofthefathers
andthesacredcanons?Mightwenotqualifyourmindsandheartstocomposereligiousworks,topreach,to
confutenovelties,toregulateourselvesandothers,toremovetheirscruples,andtoresolvecasesof
conscience,aswellasthemostlearnedcasuistsliving?

ThusfarIinsist,thereisnoscienceorpublicofficeinastate,whichWomenarenotasmuchqualifiedforby
natureastheablestofMen.Withregardhowevertodivinity,ournaturalcapacityhasbeenrestrain'dbya
positivelawofGodandthereforeweknowbetterthantolayclaimtowhatwecou'dnotpracticewithout
sacrilegiousintrusion.Though,bythebye,letitbeobservedthatthebarwhichourDivineSaviourhasputto
ourexercisinganyreligiousfunctions,neitherbarsusfromanyotherpublicoffices,norprovesusunworthy
ornaturallyincapableofexercisingeventhem.Thatheforbadusthosefunctionsprovesusnaturallyaptfor
them.Butwhyheforbadus,itwouldbepresumptuoustoenquire.Howeverifitislawfultoreasonatall
uponthedivinepreceptswemayassignareason,whichcarriesit'sownprobabilitywithit,andrather
redoundstothehonourthandisreputeofoursex.GodundoubtedlyknewthegeneraltendencyoftheMento
impietyandirreligionandthereforewhymighthenotconfinethefunctionsofreligiontothatsex,toattract
someofthematleasttothosedutiestheyhavesuchageneralapathyfor?Especiallysincethenatural
propensityofoursextovirtueandreligion,madeitunnecessarytoaddanyofthoseexternalhelpstohis
divinegrace,inordertowinustowhatourheartsleadusto.

Ifthenwesetcustomandprejudiceaside,wherewou'dtheodditybetoseeusdictatingsciencesfroma
universitychairsincetonamebutoneofathousand,thatforeignyounglady,whoseextraordinarymeritand
capacitybutafewyearsagoforcedauniversityinItalytobreakthroughtherulesofpartiality,custom,and
prejudice,inherfavour,toconferonheraDOCTOR'SDEGREE,isalivingproofthatweareascapable,as
anyoftheMen,ofthehighesteminencesinthesphereoflearning,ifwehadjusticedoneus.

Itisnotsomuchtodojusticetomyownsex,thatIquotethisinstance,astofavourtheMen,byshewingthat
itisnotabsolutelyimpossibleforthemtobesometimesjust,withoutamiracle.Indeeditmightrequire,inall
probability,thelaboursofawanderingJew,toproduceafewmoreinstancesofthelikeequitytowardsusin
thatjealous,ungeneroussex.Buttofindmanyladiesnothinginferiorinmerittothelastmention'd,weneed
neitherthepainsofrunningbacktoantiquity,northeexpenceofavoyagetoforeignclimes.Ourownage
andcountrymayboastofmorethanoneSappho,numbersofCornelias,andnoscarcityofSchurmansand
Daciers.IfIchosetounitetheseveralexcellencesofalltheseillustriousnamesinone,Imightquotean
Elizanotmoretobeenvied,forthetoweringsuperiorityofhergeniusandjudgment,thanhonour'dforthe
useshemakesofthem.Herearlyadvancesinancientandmodernlearningingeneral,havingraisedher
abovetheimitationoftheMen,asthemanyexcellentvirtuesaddedtoherextensiveknowledge,have
securedhertheesteemoftheWomenitisnowonderthat,whiletheformerareforcedtoadmireherinspite
ofprejudice,weareatlibertytodojusticetohermeritwithoutfearingthesuspicionofpartialitytowardsher.
However,asherownexcellencehasextortedherjustpraisefromthemouthofprejudiceitself,Ishallforbear
tocharacterisehercontenttoseetheworkalreadydonetomyhand,bythatsexitself:andthereforerefer
myreadersforafartheraccountofthistrueWomantowhattheReverendMrBirchsaysofherintheHistory
oftheWorksoftheLearned*:whichissomuchthemoretobereliedonasitcomesfromaManoneofthat
sexwhichseemstopiqueitselfwithnootherdegreeofequity,thanthatofneverpraisinganyofoursbeyond
theirdesert.Ifthecomparison,thiscandidgentlemantheremakesbetweenthetalentsofoursexandhis
own,shou'dprovetoogallingfortheirinnatejealousyletthemenexcusehimatleast,andpacify
themselveswiththereflectiononthethankstheyallowehimforgivingusthisfreshinstance,inhisown
person,ofthepossibilityoffindingaManwhocanthrowoffpassionandprejudice,forthesakeoftruthand
honesty.

Wemayeasilyconcludethen,that,ifoursex,asithithertoappears,haveallthetalentsrequisitetolearnand
teachthosesciences,whichqualifyMenforpoweranddignitytheyareequallycapableofapplyingtheir
knowledgetopractice,inexercisingthatpoweranddignity.Andsince,aswehavesaid,thisnationhasseen
manygloriousinstancesofWomen,severallyqualifiedtohaveallpublicauthoritycenter'dinthem:whymay
theynotbeasqualifiedatleastforthesubordinateofficesofministersofstate,vicequeens,governesses,
secretaries,privycounsellors,andtreasurers?Orwhymaytheynot,withoutoddity,beevengeneralsof
armies,andadmiralsoffleets?Butthiswillbemorepropertoconsiderseparately.
*
ForJune,1739.

CHAP.VII.
WhetherWomenarenaturallyqualifiedformilitaryoffices,ornot.

IMustconfess,Icannotfindhowtheodditywou'dbegreater,toseealadywithatruncheoninherhand,
thanwithacrownonherheadorwhyitshou'dcreatemoresurprise,toseeherpresideinacouncilofwar,
thaninacouncilofstate.Whymayshenotbeascapableofheadinganarmyasaparliamentorof
commandingatseaasofreigningatland?Whatshou'dhinderherfromholdingthehelmofafleetwiththe
samesafetyandsteadinessasthatofanation?Andwhymayshenotexercisehersoldiers,drawupher
troopsinbattlearray,anddivideherforcesintobattalionsatland,squadronsatsea,&c.withthesame
pleasureshewou'dhaveinseeingororderingittobedone?Themilitaryarthasnomysteryinitbeyond
others,whichWomencannotattainto.AWomanisascapableasaManofmakingherself,bymeansofa
map,acquaintedwiththegoodandbadways,thedangerousandsafepasses,orthepropersituationsfor
encampment.Andwhatshou'dhinderherfrommakingherselfmistressofallthestrategemsofwar,of
charging,retreating,surprising,layingambushes,counterfeitingmarches,feigningflights,givingfalse
attacks,supportingrealones,animatingthesoldiery,andaddingexampletoeloquencebybeingthefirstto
mountabreach.Persuasion,heat,andexamplearethesoulofvictory:AndWomencanshewasmuch
eloquence,intrepidity,andwarmth,wheretheirhonourisatstake,asisrequisitetoattackordefendatown.

TherecanbenorealdifferencepointedoutbetweentheinwardoroutwardconstitutionofMenandWomen,
exceptingwhatmerelytendstogivingbirthtoposterity.Andthedifferencesthencearisingarenoways
sufficienttoarguemorenaturalstrengthintheonethanintheother,toqualifythemmoreformilitary
labours.ArenottheWomenofdifferentdegreesofstrength,liketheMen?Aretherenotstrongandweakof
bothsexes?MeneducatedinslothandsoftnessareweakerthanWomenandWomen,becomeharden'dby
necessity,areoftenmorerobustthanMen.WeneedgonotfartherthanChelseyforaproofthatWomanmay
beenuredtoallthehardshipsofacampaign,andtomeetalltheterrorsofit,aswellasthebravestofthe
oppositesex.

Whathasgreatlyhelp'dtoconfirmtheMenintheprejudicednotionofWomen'snaturalweakness,isthe
commonmannerofexpressionwhichthisveryvulgarerrorgavebirthtoo.Whentheymeantostigmatisea
Manwithwantofcouragetheycallhimeffeminate,andwhentheywouldpraiseaWomanforhercourage
theycallhermanly.Butasthese,andsuchlikeexpressions,aremerelyarbitraryandbutafulsome
complimentwhichtheMenpassonthemselves,theyestablishnotruth.Therealtruthis,Thathumanityand
integrity,thecharacteristicsofoursex,makeusabhorunjustslaughter,andpreferhonourablepeacetounjust
war.Andthereforetousetheseexpressionswithpropriety,whenaManispossestofourvirtuesheshou'dbe
call'deffeminatebywayofthehighestpraiseofhisgoodnatureandjusticeandaWomanwhoshou'ddepart
fromoursexbyespousingtheinjusticeandcrueltyoftheMen'snature,shouldbecall'daMan:thatis,one
whomnosacredtiescanbindtotheobservationofjusttreaties,andwhomnobloodshedcandeterfromthe
mostcruelviolenceandrapin.

Butbethisasitmay,certainitis,thatbarestrengthintitlestheMentonosuperiorityaboveus,asIhave
alreadyremark'd.Otherwisebruteswoulddeservethepreeminenceofthem.Andamongthemselves,the
strongestmanoughttobethechiefinpower.Whereasweplainlyseethat,generallyspeaking,thestrongest
areonlyfittomakedrudgestotherestandparticularlyinarmies,theywhohavemostofbrutalvigourare
oftenusefulonlyforfascinestomenmuchweakerthanthemselvestomountabreach.Ontheotherhand
menwhohavelessstrengthhaveveryoftenthemostbrains.Thewisestphilosophers,theablestpoets,and
thegreatestprinceshavenotalwayshadthebestconstitutions.HenrywasnomatchinstrengthwithSirJohn
Falstaff.AndaMarlboroughperhapsmighthaveroutedanarmywithmoreeasethanhecou'dhavewrestled
withthemeanestofhissoldiers.

Itisquiteidlethentoinsistsomuchonbodilystrength,asanecessaryqualificationtomilitary
employments.AnditisfullasidletoimaginthatWomenarenotnaturallyascapableofcourageand
resolutionastheMen.Weareindeedcharged,withoutanyexception,withbeingtimorous,andincapableof
defencefrightedatourownshadowsalarm'datthecryofaninfant,thebarkofadog,thewhistlingofthe
wind,orataleofhobgoblins.Butisthisuniversallytrue?AretherenotMenasvoidofcourageasthemost
heartlessofoursex?AndyetitisknownthatthemosttimorousWomenoftenmakeavirtueofnecessityand
sacrificetheirownfearsforthesafetyofahusband,ason,orabrother.Fearfulandweakastheyare,they
oftenbehavemorecourageouslythantheMenunderpains,sickness,want,andtheterrorsofdeathitself.

Fearisalmostaninseparableattendantonvirtue.Thevirtuousareevertimidmoreorlesstheirown
inoffensivedispositionandtheknowledgetheyhavehowmuchviceaboundsamongMen,aresufficientto
inclinethemtofearoneveryappearanceofdanger.'Tisapassionnaturaltoall:Princesfeartherebellionof
theirsubjectsgeneralsthesurprizeofanenemyandtheverymanwhodrawshisswordtoresentaninjury,
fearstheshameofit,fearshisadversary,andfearsthelaw.

Butfeariseverthegreatestinthosewhoknowthemselvesincapableofresistingwhattheyfearandisonly
blameableinsuchashavethepowertorepeltheevilwhichthreatensthem.Alawyer,whohasspenthis
wholelifeinporingoverCokeuponLittleton,cannomore,withreason,beaccusedofwantofcouragefor
refusingachallengefromanofficeroftheArmy,thanasoldiercanbecall'dacowardforrefusingtostake
hisfortuneagainstaladyatquadrille.ThemannerWomenarebredin,givesthemroomtoapprehendevery
thing.Theyareadmittedtonoshareoftheexerciseswhichwou'dqualifythemtoattackordefend.Theysee
themselveshelplesslyexposedtotheoutragesofasexenslavedtothemostbrutaltransportsandfind
themselvesvictimsofcontempttowretches,whoseprevalentstrengthisoftenexertedagainstthem,with
morefuryandcrueltythanbeastspractisetowardsoneanother.Canourfearthenbeimputedtowantof
courage?Isitadefect?Oroughtitnotrathertobealledgedasaproofofoursense:Sinceitwou'dberather
foolhardinessthancouragetowithstandbrutes,whowantthesensetobeovercomebyreason,andwhom
wewantvigourtorepelbyforceofarms?

AndyetitisfarfrombeingtruethatallWomenwantcourage,strength,orconducttoleadanarmyto
triumphanymorethanitisthatallMenareendow'dwiththem.Therearemanyofoursexasintrepidasthe
MenandImyselfcou'd,withmoreeaseandlessrepugnance,darethefrownsandfuryofanalready
victoriousarmy,whichIhadforcestoresist,thanIcou'dstooptocourtthesmilesofacorruptminister,
whomIhadreasontodespise.

NeedIbringAmazonsfromScythiatoprovethecourageofWomen?NeedIruntoItalyforaCamillato
shewaninstanceofwarlikecourage?Wou'dthewifeofPetus,whostabbedherselffirst,toencourageher
dispondinghusbandtodothelike,havebeenafraidtomountabreach?Wou'dnotshe,whocou'dsnatchthe
knifefromherbleedingbreast,andwithanunconcern'dcountenance,gaveittoThraseas,adding,strike
PETUSitdoesnotsmart:Wou'dnotshe,Isay,havebeenequallycapableofanimatingwithpersuasionand
exampleanarmyinthedefenceofhercountry?LetFranceboastit'smaidofOrleansandothernations
gloryintheirnumberlessstoleofwarlikeWomen.WeneednotgooutofEnglandtoseekheroines,whilewe
haveannalstopreservetheirillustriousnames.TowhomdidEnglandoweit'sdeliverancefromthetyrannic
yokeoftheDanes?Buttopassoverthemanyinstancesofwarlikebraveryinoursex,letitsufficetonamea
Boadicea,whomadethemostgloriousstandagainsttheRomansinthedefenceofhercountry,thateverthat
greatempirewaswitnesstoandifherendeavoursdidnotmeetwiththesuccessofanAlexander,aCsar,
oraCharlesofSweden,inhisfortunatedays,hercourageandconductweresuch,asrenderherworthytobe
consider'dequal,ifnotsuperior,tothemall,inbraveryandwisdomnottomentionthenicerjusticeofher
intentions.

ThusfarIthinkitevidentlyappears,thatthereisnoscience,office,ordignity,whichWomenhavenotan
equalrighttoshareinwiththeMen:Sincetherecanbenosuperiority,butthatofbrutalstrength,shewnin
thelatter,toentitlethemtoengrossallpowerandprerogativetothemselves:noranyincapacityprovedin
theformer,todisqualifythemoftheirright,butwhatisowingtotheunjustoppressionoftheMen,andmight
beeasilyremoved.Withregardhowevertowarlikeemployments,itseemstobeadispositionofProvidence
thatcustomhasexemptedusfromthem.Assailorsinastormthrowoverboardtheirmoreuselesslumber,so
itisbutfitthattheMenshou'dbeexposedtothedangersandhardshipsofwar,whileweremaininsafetyat
home.Theyare,generallyspeaking,goodforlittleelsebuttobeourbulwarks:andoursmilesarethemost
noblerewardswhichthebravestofthemalloughttodesire,orcandeserve,forallthehazardsthey
encounter,andforallthelabourstheygothro'forourdefence,inthemosttediouscampaign.
 CHAP.VIII.
CONCLUSION.

WHATIhavehithertosaid,hasnotbeenwithanintentiontostirupanyofmyownsextorevoltagainstthe
Men,ortoinvertthepresentorderofthings,withregardtogovernmentandauthority.No,letthemstandas
theyare:Ionlymeantoshewmysex,thattheyarenotsodespicableastheMenwou'dhavethembelieve
themselves,andthatwearecapableofasmuchgreatnessofsoulasthebestofthathaughtysex.AndIam
fullyconvinced,itwou'dbetothejointinterestofbothtothinkso.

Thisisplain,fromtheillconsequencesattendingtheoppositeerror.Men,bythinkingusincapableof
improvingourintellects,haveentirelythrownusoutofalltheadvantagesofeducationandthereby
contributedasmuchaspossibletomakeusthesenselesscreaturestheyimaginus.Sothatforwantof
education,wearerender'dsubjecttoallthefolliestheydislikeinus,andareloadedwiththeirilltreatment
forfaultsoftheirowncreatinginus,andwhich,wearedeniedthehelpsnecessarytoavoid.Andwhatisthe
consequenceofthistyrannictreatmentofus?Why,itfinallyrevertsonthemselves:Thesamewantof
learningandeducation,whichhurriesWomenintowhatdispleasestheMen,debarsthemofthevirtues
requisitetosupportthemundertheilltreatmenttheyareloadedwithbytheMen,inconsequenceoftheir
indiscretions:Andforwantofthosevirtuestheyoftenrunveryunjustifiablelengthstoberevengedontheir
tyrants.ThusdoesitarrivegenerallyspeakingthatbothMenandWomenholdoneanotherinsovereign
contempt,andthereforeviewitheachother,whichshalltreattheothertheworst.Whereashowhappymight
theybe,wou'dbothsexesbutresolveeachtogivetheotherthatjustesteemwhichistheirdue.

However,iftruthmaybespoken,itisundeniablethattheblamelieschieflyandoriginallyintheMen.Since
iftheywou'dbutallowWomentheadvantagesofeducationandlearningtheywouldlearntodespisethose
folliesandtrifles,forwhichtheyareatpresentunjustlydespised.Theywou'dbeenabledtogivetheMen,a
betteropinionoftheircapacityofheadanddispositionofheart:AndtheMen,inproportiontotheencrease
oftheiresteemforus,wou'dlessen,andbydegreesreform,theirilltreatmentofus.TheWomenwou'dmake
ittheirstudytoimprovetheirparts,andwithencreaseofknowledgetheymustgrowgood.Theirpleasure
andstudywou'dbetoentertaintheMenwithsense,andtoaddsoliditytotheircharms.Bywhichmeansboth
sexeswou'dbehappy,andneitherhavecausetoblametheother.Butwhiletheylockupfromusallthe
avenuestoknowledge,theycannotwithoutreproachtothemselvesblameusforanymisconductwhich
ignorancemaybemotherof:Andwecannotbutaccusethemofthemostcruelinjusticeindisesteemingand
illusingusforfaultstheyputoutofourpowertocorrect.

Itwou'dbeneedlesstosayanymoreonthissubject,ifitwasnotinanswertosomeweakpeople,whoare
vainlypersuaded,thatthereisarealdifferencebetweenUsandtheMenwithregardtovirtue:Whereas
nothingcanbemoreabsurd.Itisundoubtedlytrue,thattherehavebeen,andare,manyverygood,andas
manyverybad,peopleofbothsexes.Andtho'itshou'dbesupposed,thatsomeWomenhavebeenmore
flagitiousthananyMenthatwillnowaysredoundtothedishonourofoursexingeneral.Thecorruptionof
thebestisevertheworst:Andshou'dwegrantthatinqualityofvicessomeofoursexhaveexceededthe
MenItmustbeown'dthattheirnumberswou'datleastbalancetheaccount.Ibelievenoonewilldenybut
thatatleast,uponthemostmoderatecomputation,thereareathousandbadMentoonebadWoman.Butto
knowwhethereitherbenaturallymoreviciousthantheother,wemustobservethatthereisnothingbutthe
soulcapableofvirtue,whichconsistsinafirmresolutionofdoingthat,whichwejudgethebest,according
tothedictatesofreasonandreligioncomparedwiththedifferentoccurrenceswemeetwithinlife.Nowthe
mindisnolesscapableinWomenthaninMenofthatfirmresolution,whichmakesupvirtue,orofknowing
theoccasionsofputtingitinpractice.

WeakasthegeneralityreckonusWomen,wecanregulateourpassionsaswellastheMen,andarenomore
inclinedtovicethantovirtue.Wemightevenmakethescaleturninourownfavourinthisparticular,
withoutdoingviolencetotruthorjustice.However,uponthewhole,iftherebeequaloccasionoffinding
faultinbothsexesThatwhichaccusestheotheroffendsagainstnaturalequity.Iftherebemoreevilinthe
Menthaninus,andtheyaretoostupefiedtoseeit,thentheyareguiltyofrashnessinfindingfaultwithour
sex:andiftheydoseethem,andmaliciouslyconcealtheirgreaterfaultsisitnotbaseinthemtoblameus
whohaveless?IftherebemoregoodinWomenthaninMen,oughtnottheMentobeaccusedofignorance
orenvyinnotacknowledgingit?WhenaWomanhasmorevirtuethanvice,shou'dnottheoneatoneforthe
other?Thisisespeciallytruewhenourdefectsareinsurmountable,andwhenwearedeprivedofmeanstorid
ouselvesofthemwhichisgenerallythecasewithmostofthefaultyofoursex,andoughttomeritthem
compassionratherthancontempt.Lastly,whenourfailingsareonlyseeminglysuch,oratmostbuttrivialin
themselves,itisimprudent,malicious,andpitifultoinsistonthem.Andyetitiseasytoprove,thatsuchare
thegeneralityofthefaultswearechargedwith,whichcananywayaffectusall.

Thusthendoesithithertofullyappear,howfalselywearedeem'd,bytheMen,wantinginthatsolidityof
sensewhichtheysovainlyvaluethemselvesupon.Ourrightisthesamewiththeirstoallpublic
employmentsweareendow'd,bynature,withgeniusesatleastascapableoffillingthemastheirscanbe
andourheartsareassusceptibleofvirtueasourheadsareofthesciences.Weneitherwantspirit,strength,
norcourage,todefendacountry,norprudencetoruleit.Oursoulsareasperfectastheirs,andtheorgans
theydependonaregenerallymorerefined.However,ifthebodiesbecomparedtodecidetherightof
excellenceineithersexweneednotcontend:TheMenthemselvesIpresumewillgiveitup.Theycannot
denybutthatwehavetheadvantageofthemintheinternalmechanismofourframes:Sinceinusis
producedthemostbeautifulandwonderfulofallcreatures:Andhowmuchhavewenottheadvantageof
theminoutside?Whatbeauty,comeliness,andgraces,hasnotheavenattach'dtooursexabovetheirs?I
shou'dblushwithscorntomentionthis,ifIdidnotthinkitanindicationofoursoulsbeingalsoinastateof
greaterdelicacy:ForIcannothelpthinkingthatthewiseauthorofnaturesuitedourframestothesoulshe
gaveus.Andsurelythentheacutenessofourminds,withwhatpassesintheinsideofourheads,oughtto
renderusatleastEQUALStoMen,sincetheoutsideseldomfailstomakeustheirabsolutemistresses.

AndyetIwou'dhavenoneofmysexbuildtheirauthoritybarelyonsoslightafoundation.No:Goodsense
willoutlastahandsomeface:Andthedominiongain'doverheartsbyreasonislasting.Iwou'dtherefore
exhortallmysextothrowasideidleamusements,andtobetakethemselvestotheimprovementoftheir
minds,thatwemaybeabletoactwiththatbecomingdignityournaturehasfittedustoand,without
claimingorvaluingit,shewourselvesworthysomethingfromthem,asmuchabovetheirbareesteem,as
theyconceitthemselvesaboveus.Inaword,letusshewthem,bywhatlittlewedowithoutaidofeducation,
themuchwemightdoiftheydidusjusticethatwemayforceablushfromthem,ifpossible,andcompel
themtoconfesstheirownbasenesstous,andthattheworstofusdeservemuchbettertreatmentthanthebest
ofusreceive.

FINIS.

Ihaveattemptedtofollowthespellingandlayoutoftheoriginaldocument,withtheexceptionofreplacing
thetypographical""withamodern"s".Theusageof"it's"isconsistentthroughouttheoriginaldocument
andhasbeenrespected.Inanumberofcases,ending"e"sdonotappear,e.g."disciplin"ratherthan
"discipline".Ihavefollowedtheoriginaltextinthis.Ihavenotattemptedtostandardizevariantspellings,
suchas"could"and"cou'd","tho'"and"though","tyrany"and"tyranny".