years that lead us to the grave. Instead, it is more consistent to relish all the<hr>
years of our life to attain glory and realize our ambitions in order to leave a significant<hr>
legacy. Elements created by nature to seemingly only garnish the universe almost never lose the magnificence it has given to them. Gold,<hr>
pearls and diamonds maintain their brilliance for as long as they exist, and even the phoenix<hr>
dies with its grace only to be reborn with it. Of course, we say that the beauty of women does not<hr>
fade like roses or lilies, and that their eyes remain dazzling even after securing numerous victories. But time robs us of our most precious treasures,<hr>
our youth fades away and our charm can't resist the ravages of disease and<hr>
old age. Thus, we must seek other benefits in life, for beauty alone<hr>
doesn't make everything worthwhile. And to tell the truth, beauty is to our sex what valour is for<hr>
men, but just as this virtue doesn't prevent them from loving the study of letters,<hr>
our advantage should not prevent us from learning and mastering them.<hr>
       If there's a difference between men and women, it should only exist with regard to<hr>
war: it's up to the elegance of my sister to conquer hearts, and to the bravery<hr>
and strength of men to conquer kingdoms. Nature's will is so apparent<hr>
in these circumstances that one cannot oppose it. I'd leave the capturing of<hr>
cities, delivering of battles and leading of armies to those born for that cause. As for things<hr>
requiring only imagination, quick wit, memory and judgement, I can't<hr>
agree with us being deprived of them. Men, who are almost all our subordinates<hr>
or opponents, even when the constraints they endure seem burdensome, do not<hr>
question our ability to appreciate the power of imagination, the quick wit or remarkable memory that characterize us.<hr>
       But when it comes to judgement, some unjustly maintain that they possess more<hr>
than we do. However, I believe that the moderation and modesty of our sex sufficiently prove<hr>
that we do not lack it. If it's true that we possess the advantages of<hr>
imagination, memory as well as better modesty and moderation, it's almost<hr>
impossible that we don't possess judgement. If our imagination presents things as<hr>
they are, if our mind comprehends them perfectly and if our memory<hr>
serves us as it should, how could our judgement be mistaken? When<hr>
the imagination is vivid, it's a faithful mirror of reality; when the intellect is illuminated, it<hr>
deeply understands things; and when the memory is great and cultured, it instructs<hr>
effectively by example, and it's impossible that judgement is not formed. Believe me,<hr>
Erinna, when the sea is calm, it's hard to be shipwrecked. Even the worst<hr>
navigator can enter the harbour, and we can dodge the rocks when the waves are not<hr>
agitated. Similarly, when the mind is calm and our faculties are clear, it is<hr>
easier to make sensible decisions and avoid judgement errors. I do not<hr>
<hr>
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                                                     150<hr>