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
I deplore the horrible crime as child murder....no matter what the motive, love of ease, or desire to save from suffering the unborn innocent,the woman is awfully guilty who commits the deed...but oh, thrice guilty is he who drove her to the desperation which compelled her to the crime.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the condemnation of child murder while highlighting the shared culpability of societal pressures on women.
Susan B. Anthony's quote reflects a deep moral stance against child murder, categorically denouncing the act itself regardless of the circumstances that may lead to it. However, she goes further to emphasize that the true guilt lies not only with the woman who makes the heartbreaking decision but even more so with those who create the desperate conditions that drive her to such an act, thus advocating for a compassionate understanding of women's struggles within society.
Themes
Child MurderGuiltSocietyDesperationWomen'S Rights
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during discussions on women's rights at rallies or conferences to illustrate the complexities around the topic.
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
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