I cannot comprehend how those who recognize our imagination, our intelligence, and our<hr>
memory can pride themselves on having more judgement than we do. How could they think<hr>
with their imagination that does not show them things as they are, with their reason that<hr>
does not know those things, and with their memory that is not faithful, that their judgement could<hr>
act rightly? <hr>
        No, Erinna, this is not possible, and to be more rational than some of them,<hr>
I would say that there are among them and among us people who possess both<hr>
imagination, reason, memory, and judgement. If I were inclined, I could convincingly demonstrate<hr>
that our sex can boast of having more intellectual richness than<hr>
men. For consider, Erinna, this universal law that we observe in all animals that live in the<hr>
woods and caves. You will see that those born with strength and courage are often clumsy and unintelligent while the weakest often have a stronger instinct and are smarter and more skilled than those to whom nature has<hr>
given other advantages. You understand that according to this law, nature having given more<hr>
strength and courage to men than to women, has given us more spirit and judgement.<hr>
        But once again, Erinna, let us admit that they have as much as we do provided they<hr>
also acknowledge that we have as much as they do. You could tell me that even though if<hr>
I obtain the consent of all men to the admission of our judgement, I would still not be able to persuade you that the knowledge of letters is suitable for a woman, because by a practice established by men, studies are as forbidden to us as war. Writing poetry is the same as starting wars, if we listen to them carefully. Indeed, it seems that what is permitted to us today should be forbidden. What, Erinna, we have a lively imagination, a keen mind, a advantageous memory, a solid judgement, and we are only allowed to use them to do up our hair and seek the ornaments that may enhance our beauty? No, Erinna, this would be a waste of the gifts which we have received from nature. Those women who were born with eyes designed for conquering should not be content with these subterfuges to complete nature’s charms. This would belittle our intellect to allow it to be devoted all our lives to such tasks. We could even say that if there was proper order, the study of literature should be more allowed to women than men. Given that they have the responsibility of governing the universe, some are kings, others province governors, some priests, others magistrates, and all in general masters of their households, and thus are busy with either public affairs or their own, they undoubtedly have little time to dedicate to this art. They have to steal this time from their duties, their friends, or themselves.<hr>
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