Let her laugh at all the utopian follies elaborated concerning her nature, her functions determined for eternity, and remember that she is not what nature, but what subjection, prejudice, ignorance has made her; let her escape from all her chains, and no longer permit herself to be intimidated and debased. Thus, gentlemen, all my ideas on the nature and functions of woman may be summed up in these few propositions: I believe, because a physiological deduction authorizes me to do so, that general humanity common to both sexes is stamped by sexuality. In _fact_, I know not, and you know no better than I, what are the true characteristics arising from the distinction of the sexes, and I believe that they can be revealed only by liberty in equality, parity of instruction and of education. In social practice, functions should belong to those who can perform them: woman therefore should perform those functions for which she shows herself qualified, and society should become so organized that this may be possible. What are these functions relative to her degree of present development? I will tell you directly. LOVE; ITS FUNCTION IN HUMANITY. I. You tell the child that lies, "it is wrong to deceive; you would not wish others to deceive you." You tell the child that pilfers, "it is wrong to steal; you would not wish others to steal from you." You tell the child that takes advantage of his strength and knowledge to torment his younger companion; "you would not wish others to do these things to you; you are wicked and cowardly." These are good lessons. Why then, when the child has become a young man, do you say: _Young men must sow their wild oats_? _To sow their wild oats_ is to deceive young girls, to destroy their future, to practice adultery, to keep mistresses, to visit brothels. Yet mothers, women thus consent to the profanation of their sex! Those who forbade their child to steal a toy, permit him to steal the honor and repose of human beings! Those who shamed their son for falsehood, permit him to deceive poor young girls! Those who made it a crime in their son to oppress those weaker than themselves, permit him to be oppressive and perfidious toward women! Then they complain later that their sons treat them ill; that they dishonor and ruin themselves; That they desire the death of their parents, in order to enrich the usurers from whom they have borrowed money to maintain their mistresses in luxury. They complain that they destroy their health, and give their mothers puny grandchildren, for whose existence they are in continual anxiety. Ah! ladies, you have only what you deserve; bear the weight of a joint responsibility which you cannot escape. You authorized your sons to sow their wild oats; endure the consequences. But a mother cannot be the confident of her son, it is said. Why not, madam, if you have brought him up in such a way as to have no dishonorable confidence to make to you.