"But when you hear men talking," said Cornelia, "all they ever do is speak ill of women. 'And I don't quite know how they've managed to make this law in their favor, or who exactly it was who gave them a greater license to sin than is allowed to us; and if the fault is common to both sexes (as they can hardly deny), why should the blame not be as well?
Interpretation
The quote critiques societal norms that unfairly blame women while allowing men greater freedom to act immorally.
In this quote, Cornelia expresses her frustration with the double standards imposed by society regarding gender roles and morality. She points out that while both men and women are capable of immoral behavior, only women seem to face the brunt of societal blame, questioning the fairness of this discrepancy and calling for equal accountability for both sexes.
In practice
During a gender studies lecture to illustrate the impact of societal norms.
My desire was no less than before, you understand, but I no longer identified with the desire. Perhaps that is why taking them too seriously, we not only increase our susceptibility to disappointment, we actually create a climate inhospitable to the free and easy fulfillment of those desires.
The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.
I have gained this from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law.
To mend our own relationship with God, regaining God's favor after having once lost it, is beyond the power of any one of us. And one must see and bow to this before one can share the biblical faith in God's grace.
Once you get to the Enlightenment, the way that powers get to be hyperpowers isn't just by conquest. It's through commerce and innovation. Societies like the Dutch Republic and the United States used tolerance to become a magnet for enterprising immigrants.
The longest way round is the shortest way home. (Quoting Alexander MacLaren, The Wearied Christ and Other Sermons)
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.