Page:Vindication Women's Rights (Wollstonecraft).djvu/205

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
RIGHTS OF WOMAN.
199

opinions, at firſt, of every deſcription, were all, probably, conſidered, and therefore were founded on ſome reaſon; yet not unfrequently, of courſe, it was rather a local expedient than a fundamental principle, that would be reaſonable at all times. But, moſs-covered opinions aſſume the diſproportioned form of prejudices, when they are indolently adopted only becauſe age has given them a venerable aſpect, though the reaſon on which they were built ceaſes to be a reaſon, or cannot be traced. Why are we to love prejudices, merely becauſe they are prejudices[1]? A prejudice is a fond obſtinate perſuaſion for which we can give no reaſon; for the moment a reaſon can be given for an opinion, it ceaſes to be a prejudice, though it may be an error in judgment: and are we then adviſed to cheriſh opinions only to ſet reaſon at defiance? This mode of arguing, if arguing it may be called, reminds me of what is vulgarly termed a woman's reaſon. For women ſometimes declare that they love, or believe, certain things, becauſe they love, or believe them.

It is impoſſible to converſe with people to any purpoſe, who, in this ſtyle, only uſe affirmatives and negatives. Before you can bring them to a point, to ſtart fairly from, you muſt go back to the ſimple principles that were antecedent to the prejudices broached by power; and it is ten to one but you are ſtopped by the philoſophical aſſertion, that certain principles are as practically falſe as they are abſtractly true[2]. Nay, it may be

N 4
inferred, 
  1. Vide Mr. Burke.
  2. 'Convince a man againſt his will,
    He's of the ſame opinion ſtill.'