Weak minds are always fond of resting in the ceremonials of duty,
but morality offers much simpler motives; and it were to be wished
that superficial moralists had said less respecting behaviour, and
outward observances, for unless virtue, of any kind, be built on
knowledge, it will only produce a kind of insipid decency. Respect for
the opinion of the world, has, however, been termed the principal duty
of woman in the most express words, for Rousseau declares, 'that
reputation is no less indispensable than chastity.' 'A man,' adds
he, 'secure in his own good conduct, depends only on himself, and
may brave the public opinion: but a woman, in behaving well,
performs but half her duty; as what is thought of her, is as important
to her as what she really is. It follows hence, that the system of a
woman's education should, in this respect, be directly contrary to
that of ours. Opinion is the grave of virtue among the men; but its
throne among women.' It is strictly logical to infer that the virtue
that rests on opinion is merely worldly, and that it is the virtue
of a being to whom reason has been denied. But, even with respect to
the opinion of the world, I am convinced that this class of
reasoners are mistaken.
This regard for reputation, independent of its being one of the
natural rewards of virtue, however, took its rise from a cause that
I have already deplored as the grand source of female depravity, the
impossibility of regaining respectability by a return to virtue,
though men preserve theirs during the indulgence of vice.
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