How grossly do they insult us who thus advise us only to render ourselves
gentle, domestic brutes! For instance, the winning softness so warmly, and
frequently, recommended, that governs by obeying. What childish
expressions, and how insignificant is the being -- can it be an immortal
one? who will condescend to govern by such sinister methods! 'Certainly,' says Lord Bacon, 'man is of kin to the beasts
by his body; and if he be not of kin to God by his spirit, he is a base
and ignoble creature!' Men, indeed, appear to me to act in a very
unphilosophical manner when they try to secure the good conduct of women
by attempting to keep them always in a state of childhood. Rousseau was
more consistent when he wished to stop the progress of reason in both
sexes, for if men eat of the tree of knowledge, women will come in for a
taste; but, from the imperfect cultivation which their understandings now
receive, they only attain a knowledge of evil.
