A Woman of the World - Her Counsel to Other People's Sons and Daughters by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
page 10 of 195 (05%)
page 10 of 195 (05%)
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Well I _do_ approve. I always approve when a human being is carrying out
a determination, even if I am confident it is the wrong determination. The really useful knowledge of life must come through strong convictions. Strong convictions are usually obtained only on the pathway of personal experience. To argue a man out of a certain course of action rarely argues away his own beliefs and desires in the matter. We may save him some bitter experience in the contemplated project, but he is almost certain to find that same bitter experience later, because he has been coerced, not enlightened. Had he gained his knowledge in the first instance, he would have escaped the later disaster. A college education does not seem to me the most desirable thing for a woman, unless she intends to enter into educational pursuits as a means of livelihood. I understand it is your intention to become a teacher, and, therefore, you are wise to prepare yourself by a thorough education. _Be the very best_, in whatever line of employment you enter. Scorn any half-way achievements. Make yourself a brilliantly educated woman, but look to it that in the effort you do not forget two other important matters--health and sympathy. My objection to higher education for women, which you once heard me express, is founded on the fact that I have met many college women who were anaemic and utterly devoid of emotion. One beautiful young girl I recall who at fourteen years of age seemed to embody all the physical and temperamental charms possible for womankind. Softly rounded features, vivid colouring, voluptuous curves |
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