"How many, how omnipotent are the interests which engage men to break the mental chains of women! How many, how dear are the interests which engage them to exalt rather than lower their condition, to multiply their solid acquirements, to respect their liberties, to make them their equals, to wish them even their superiors! Let them inquire into these things. Let them examine the relation in which the two sexes stand, and ever must stand, to each other. Let them perceive that, mutually dependent, they must ever be giving and receiving, or they must be losing β receiving or losing in knowledge, in virtue, in enjoyment. Let them perceive how immense the loss, or how immense the gain. Let them not imagine that they know aught of the delights which intercourse with the other sex can give, until they have felt the sympathy of mind with mind, and heart with heart; until they bring into that intercourse every affection, every talent, every confidence, every refinement, every respect. Until power is annihilated on one side, fear and obedience on the other, and both restored to the birthright β equality. Let none think that affection can reign without it; or friendship or esteem. Jealousies, envyings, suspicions, reserves, deceptions β these are the fruits of inequality."
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Activists from the United StatesPhilosophers from the United StatesNon-fiction authors from the United StatesPhilosophers from ScotlandWomen's rights activists
Original Language: English
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Lecture II: Of Free Inquiry, considered as a Means for obtaining Just Knowledge
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Frances_Wright
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Frances Wright
Frances Wright (September 6 1795 β December 13 1852), also widely known as Fanny Wright, was a Scotland-born lecturer, writer, feminist, abolitionist, and utopian, who became a U.S. citizen in 1825.
50 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Frances Wright β
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