If, I say, for I would not impress by declamation when Reason offers
her sober light, if they be really capable of acting like rational
creatures, let them not be treated like slaves; or, like the brutes
who are dependent on the reason of man, when they associate with
him; but cultivate their minds, give them the salutary, sublime curb
of principle, and let them attain conscious dignity by feeling
themselves only dependent on God. Teach them, in common with man, to
submit to necessity instead of giving, to render them more pleasing, a
sex to morals.
Further, should experience prove that they cannot attain the same
degree of strength of mind, perseverance, and fortitude, let their
virtues be the same in kind, though they may vainly struggle for the
same degree; and the superiority of man will be equally clear, if
not clearer; and truth, as it is a simple principle, which admits of
no modification, would be common to both. Nay, the order of society as
it is at present regulated would not be inverted, for woman would then
only have the rank that reason assigned her, and arts could not be
practised to bring the balance even, much less to turn it.
These may be termed Utopian dreams.- Thanks to that Being who
impressed them on my soul, and gave me sufficient strength of mind
to dare to exert my own reason, till, becoming dependent only on him
for the support of my virtue, I view, with indignation, the mistaken
notions that enslave my sex.
I love man as my fellow; but his scepter, real, or usurped,
extends not to me, unless the reason of an individual demands my
homage; and even then the submission is to reason, and not to man.
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