"The intellectual who wants to do her work properly must today go back to the starting point: the woman whom she knows, and first of all to herself. It is at that level, and at no other, that she ought to begin to think about the world situation"

This quote by Jacques Ellul motivates intellectual women to take a step back and reflect on their own lives before attempting to understand the world circumstance. He recommends that the very best method to do this is to start with oneself, to look inward and gain a better understanding of who they are and how they suit the world. This is the starting point for any intellectual female who wants to do her work correctly. Ellul believes that by understanding oneself, one can acquire a better understanding of the world and its complexities. He stresses that this is the only way to genuinely comprehend the world situation and to make significant contributions to it. This quote encourages intellectual ladies to take the time to assess their own lives and to use that knowledge to gain a much better understanding of the world.