Christian literature for children; Women -- Social and moral questions; Young women -- Conduct of life
A second point then is this, that she should be so educated as to know
her appropriate sphere. There are two errors in this respect, which she
is liable to commit. She may undervalue her capacities, and imagine,
that being able to acquire or perform little, nothing need be attempted;
or that her influence is trifling, that she helps few and harms less,
and therefore, whether she be ignorant or learned is of no consequence.
Or she may pass to the opposite extreme, and believe herself
all-competent, qualified by nature to cope with man in every situation.
This view will lead her to self-satisfaction, and of course prove
unfriendly to her moral character, and to her spiritual culture. The
affectation that has sometimes accompanied learning in females, has led
not a few men to abhor the very name of a "literary lady."
A good education will so expand her mind and mature her judgment, as to
rescue her from the dangers of these fatal extremes. A refined intellect
will not consent, with the women of Persia, to dwell in the harem; nor
subscribe to the Hindoo doctrine, that "the female who can read or
write, is disqualified for domestic life, and is the heir of
misfortunes." Neither will such a one aspire to the baubles of office,
pant to join in harangues to the crowd, or to compete with man at the
ballot-box.
Woman has rights; but how shall she truly understand them? Not through
ignorance, not by being half-educated, or miseducated. It can be only
through a liberal culture of all her faculties. So trained, she will
ever bear in mind "that knowledge is not to elevate her above her
station, nor to excuse her from the discharge of its most trifling
duties. It is to teach her to know her place, and her functions, to make
her content with the one, and willing to fulfil the other. It is to
render her more useful, more humble, more happy."
"Such a woman will not seek distinction, and therefore she will not meet
with disappointment. She will not be dependent on the world, and thus
she will avoid its vexations. She will be happy in the fulfilment of
religious and domestic duty, and in the profitable employment of her
time."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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