'It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. Millions are condemned to a stiller doom than mine, and millions are in silent revolt against their lot. Nobody knows how many rebellions beside political rebellions ferment in the masses of life which people earth. Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel: they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex.' Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre
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With love and action on International Women's Day x
"...they will make it if they cannot find it." Very very true. And something to be celebrated, not despaired about. Tranquility is only good in small doses; too much becomes a stagnation.
ReplyDeleteTonia - Yes let's celebrate it, and Bronte.
DeleteI really love this quote. Thank you for posting it.
ReplyDeleteSiobhan - Hello & glad you liked reading it.
DeleteOh that quote takes me right back to English Lit classes. Great novel.
ReplyDeleteVintage - I think it maybe one of my favourite novels.
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