If there is a difference between men and women, it should only exist regarding<hr>
war: it is to the elegance of my sister that belongs the task to conquer hearts, and to the valour<hr>
and strength of men to conquer kingdoms. Nature's will is so evident<hr>
under such conditions that one cannot oppose it. I consent to let the capturing of<hr>
cities, the conducting of battles, and the leading of armies be done by those who are born for such. As for the matters<hr>
that require solely the imagination, the vivacity of spirit, memory, and judgement, I cannot<br>
accept that we are deprived of them. Men, who are almost all our subordinates<hr>
or our opponents, even when the constraints they suffer seem heavy, do not<hr>
question our capacity to appreciate the power of the imagination, the vivacity<br>
of spirit or the exceptional memory that characterises us.<hr>
       But pertaining judgement, some unfairly assert that they possess<br>
more than us. However, I believe that our sex's moderation and modesty amply demonstrate<hr>
that we do not lack it. If it is true that we possess the advantages of<br>
imagination, memory as well as of superior modesty and moderation, it is almost<br>
impossible that we do not possess judgement. If our imagination presents us with<br>
matters as they are, if our mind comprehends them fully and if our memory<br>
serves us well, how could our judgement possibly be mistaken? When<br>
imagination is sharp, it is a faithful mirror of reality; when the intellect is illuminated, it<br>
profoundly understands matters; and when memory is great and cultivated, it instructs<hr>
efficiently by example, and it is impossible for judgement not to form. Believe me,<hr>
Erinna, when the sea is calm, it's hard to shipwreck. Even the worst<br>
sailor can enter the port, and we can evade the rocks when the waves are not<br>
turbulent. In the same manner, when the mind is calm and our faculties clear, it is<br>
easier to make wise decisions and avoid judgement errors. I do not<hr>
understand how those who recognise our imagination, our intellect and our<br>
memory can boast having more judgement than us. How could they think<hr>
with their imagination that does not present them with matters as they are, with their reason that<br>
does not understand these things and with their memory that is not faithful that their judgement could<br>
act fairly?<hr>
       No, Erinna, that is not possible, and to be more sensible than some among<hr>
them, I would say that there are among them and among us, people who possess both<br>
imagination, reason, memory and judgement. If I felt like it, I could convincingly demonstrate<br>
that our gender can boast having more wealth of the spirit than<br>
that of men. For consider, Erinna, this universal law that is observed in all the<br>
animals that live in the woods and the caves.<hr>
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                                                     154<hr>