Woman, in her social and domestic character

Capa
Longman, 1831 - 172 páginas

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Página 2 - ... she cannot be agreeable. Gentleness ought to be the characteristic of the sex ; and there is nothing that can compensate for the want of this feminine attraction. Gentleness is, indeed, the talisman of woman. To interest the feelings is to her much easier than to convince the judgment; and the heart far more accessible to her influence than the head.
Página 33 - And though she may sometimes be called to less congenial scenes, and she will neither refuse the summons, nor show a peevish reluctance to obey it ; yet her taste is home ! for there she feels she is most useful, most happy, and has most communion with her God. And it is the domesticating tendency of religion that especially prepossesses men in its favour, and makes them, even if indifferent to it themselves, desire it, at least, in their nearest female connexions.
Página 91 - ... and give interest to duty, — can lighten every burden, and enhance every pleasure, — can sweeten every thing bitter, and render more grateful every thing sweet ? Love is indeed the golden thread which imparts richness and value to the coarsest woof, — and happier, far happier, are they, who, with love in their hearts, encounter many a shock, and cope with many a struggle, than they who, soured by mutual disesteem, find even their luxurious indolence fatiguing, and their costly pleasures...
Página 79 - Without it no woman can be interesting ; and though its excess is a weakness, and one which receives but little indulgence, there is nothing truly generous or disinterested, which does not imply its existence. It is that poetry of sentiment which imparts to character or incident something of the beautiful or the sublime ; which elevates us to a higher sphere ; which gives an ardor to affection...
Página 11 - But, on this account, intellectual discipline is, in their case, the more essential, that it may teach them how really to improve their talent, and that it may check an exuberance which is generally disappointing because it is precocious. It is to superficial attainment that we may trace most of the mistakes which persons fall into with respect to literature. We are never so likely to be conceited as when we estimate our proficiency solely by the number of our acquirements.
Página 81 - ... to elicit any more explicit avowal. They are ashamed even of what they do betray ; and one would imagine, that the imputation of sensibility were almost a reflection on their character. They must not feel, or, at least, they must not allow that they feel ; for feeling has led so many persons wrong, that decorum can be preserved, they think, only by indifference. And they end in becoming really as callous as they wish to appear; and stifle emotion so successfully, that at length it ceases to give...
Página 121 - What a mistake is the system we complain of with regard to religion ! Yet, even in serious families, there is often too much of dry routine in religious instruction. It is communicated too much as a task, which is to be learnt, repeated, and then thrown aside. Whereas the principle should pervade every thing.
Página 155 - St. Paul knew what was best for woman when he advised her to be domestic. He knew that home was her safest place ; home her appropriate station. He knew, especially, the dangers to which young women are exposed, when, under any pretence, they fly from home. There is composure at home ; there is something sedative in the duties which home involves. It affords security not only from the world, but from delusions and errors of every kind.

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