7.9. 9. Of the Condition or State of Women in different Governments.
In monarchies women are subject to very little restraint, because as
the distinction of ranks calls them to court, there they assume a spirit
of liberty, which is almost the only one tolerated in that place. Each
courtier avails himself of their charms and passions, in order to
advance his fortune: and as their weakness admits not of pride, but of
vanity, luxury constantly attends them.
In despotic governments women do not introduce, but are themselves
an object of, luxury. They must be in a state of the most rigorous
servitude. Every one follows the spirit of the government, and adopts in
his own family the customs he sees elsewhere established. As the laws
are very severe and executed on the spot, they are afraid lest the
liberty of women should expose them to danger. Their quarrels,
indiscretions, repugnancies, jealousies, piques, and that art, in fine,
which little souls have of interesting great ones, would be attended
there with fatal consequences.
Besides, as princes in those countries make a sport of human nature,
they allow themselves a multitude of women; and a thousand
considerations oblige them to keep those women in close confinement.
In republics women are free by the laws and restrained by manners;
luxury is banished thence, and with it corruption and vice.
In the cities of Greece, where they were not under the restraint of
a religion which declares that even amongst men regularity of manners is
a part of virtue; where a blind passion triumphed with a boundless
insolence, and love appeared only in a shape which we dare not mention,
while marriage was considered as nothing more than simple
friendship;
[18]
such was the virtue, simplicity, and chastity of women
in those cities, that in this respect hardly any people were ever known
to have had a better and wiser polity.
[19]
Footnotes
[18]
"In respect to true love," says Plutarch, "the women have
nothing to say to it." In his "Treatise of Love," p. 600. He spoke in the
style of his time. See Xenophon in the dialogue intitled Hiero.
[19]
At Athens there was a particular magistrate who inspected the
conduct of women.
