A Vindication of the Rights of Woman Education Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

Would ye, O my sisters, really possess modesty […] ye must acquire that soberness of mind, which the exercise of duties, and the pursuit of knowledge, alone inspire, or ye will remain in a doubtful dependent situation, and only be loved whilst ye are fair! (7.37)

If women are going to learn true modesty (and not just the appearance of modesty), they need to train their minds to see just how much there is in the world that they don't know. In this case, these women will only be loved and respected while they're still young and pretty. Once they're old, no one will care about them.