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Why have women passion, intellect, moral activity - these three - and a place in society where no one of the three can be exercised? Men say that God punishes for complaining. No, but men are angry with misery. They are irritated with women for not being happy. They take it as a personal offence. To God alone may women complain without insulting Him!

Florence Nightingale#23

SocietyPurposeEqualityFrustrationHappinessJustice

About this quote

What does it mean?
Nightingale questions why women possess intellect and moral capability but lack a societal place to use them. She argues that men blame women for unhappiness rather than recognizing systemic oppression.
In plain terms
Women have skills but nowhere to use them, and men get angry when they are unhappy.
What can you take from it?
Society creates misery for women by denying them useful roles.

Where it applies

  • social critique
  • feminist argument
  • gender analysis

Putting it to work

  • advocating for equal opportunities

Questions to consider

  • Why do societies restrict capable people?
  • How do we find purpose when blocked?

Another view

The focus on male anger may overlook broader structural factors.

More from Florence Nightingale

  1. Perhaps, if prematurely we dismiss ourselves from this world, all may even have to be suffered through again - the premature birth may not contribute to the pr…

    Permalink to quote #22
  2. Suffering, sad 'female humanity!' What are these feelings which they are taught to consider as disgraceful, to deny to themselves? What form do the Chinese fee…

    Permalink to quote #24
  3. I attribute my success to this - I never gave or took any excuse.

    Permalink to quote #21

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