"The history of men's opposition to women's emancipation is more interesting perhaps than the story of that emancipation itself"
- Virginia Woolf
About this Quote
This quote by Virginia Woolf speaks to the long and difficult battle for ladies's emancipation. Woolf recommends that the history of men's opposition to women's emancipation is more intriguing than the story of the emancipation itself. This is likely due to the fact that the opposition to females's emancipation has actually been so prevalent and relentless throughout history. It has taken centuries of effort and commitment for women to gain the rights and freedoms they have today. Woolf's quote functions as a reminder of the importance of continuing to fight for gender equality and to never take the progress that has been produced given. It is likewise a suggestion of the significance of acknowledging the battles of those who have actually come before us and the value of learning from the past in order to develop a much better future.
"A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect"
"We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans"
"It is humiliating to remain with our hands folded while others write history. It matters little who wins. To make a people great it is necessary to send them to battle even if you have to kick them in the pants. That is what I shall do"
