The work of woman is not to lessen the severity or the certainty of the penalty for the violation of the moral law, but to prevent this violation by the removal of the causes which lead to it.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True reform requires sacrificing one's reputation and social status.
The quote by Susan B. Anthony emphasizes that individuals who are overly cautious and concerned about their social image often miss the opportunity to create meaningful change. It suggests that genuine commitment to reform involves a willingness to risk one's status or reputation in the eyes of society, advocating for bold action over superficial concerns.
Themes
ReformCourageReputationChangeSocial Standing
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about activism, one might cite this quote to encourage others to prioritize change over public opinion.
More from Susan B. Anthony
All quotes →The only question left to be settled now is: Are women persons? And I hardly believe any of our opponents will have the hardihood to say they are not.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
I have given my life and all I am to it, and now I want my last act to be to give it all I have, to the last cent.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
The day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
We ask justice, we ask equality, we ask that all the civil and political rights that belong to citizens of the United States, be guaranteed to us and our daughters forever.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
Similar quotes
Ever since the morning of May 29, 1953, when Tenzing Norgay and I became the first climbers to step onto the summit of Mount Everest, I've been called a great adventurer.
Edmund HillaryRead
There is nothing I can do to undo what I did. I can only say again how sorry I am to those I let down and then strive to go forward with a greater sense of humility and purpose, and with gratitude to those who stood with me during a very difficult chapter in my life.
David PetraeusRead
Alas, not me, lord!" she said. "Shadow lies on me still. Look not to me for healing! I am a shieldmaiden and my hand is ungentle.
J. R. R. TolkienRead
Come to the edge.' 'We can't. We're afraid.' 'Come to the edge.' 'We can't. We will fall!' 'Come to the edge.' And they came. And he pushed them. And they flew.
Guillaume ApollinaireRead
His headstone said FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST But death is a slave's freedom We seek the freedom of free men And the construction of a world Where Martin Luther King could have lived and preached nonviolence.
Nikki GiovanniRead
For herself, she wanted sleet and ice, howling winds, thunder to shake the very stones of the Red Keep. She wanted a storm to match her rage.
George R. R. MartinRead