We were equals once when we lay new-born babes on our nurse's knees. We will be equal again when they tie up our jaws for the last sleep.
Olive SchreinerRead
No woman has the right to marry a man if she has to bend herself out of shape for him. She might wish to, but she could never be to him with all her passionate endeavor what the other woman could be to him without trying. Character will dominate over all and will come out at last.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Women should not feel obligated to change themselves for a partner's approval.
This quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity in relationships. Olive Schreiner suggests that a woman should not feel pressured to alter her true self to fit into a relationship with a man, as genuine connection comes from being oneself rather than conforming. The idea that character and authenticity will prevail highlights the significance of self-acceptance and the notion that a real partnership should allow individuals to be their true selves without compromise.
Themes
RelationshipsAuthenticitySelf-LoveWomenCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about self-acceptance, you might quote Schreiner to highlight the importance of being true to oneself.
More from Olive Schreiner
All quotes →Slavery may, perhaps, be best compared to the infantile disease of measles; a complaint which so commonly attacks the young of humanity in their infancy, and when gone through at that period leaves behind it so few fatal marks; but which when it normally attacks the fully developed adult becomes one of the most virulent and toxic of diseases, often permanently poisoning the constitution where it does not end in death.
Olive SchreinerRead
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