And you, poor, puny, pallid woman, dare decry and despise that law, and dare insult God's animate creature!
Know this, madam, there is no strength worth boasting that has not conquered weakness. No virtue worth the name that has not conquered temptation. No greatness of character that has not overcome unworthy impulses.
Enjoy your negative goodness and be glad you are "good."
Morality is acceptable to the world, however it conies; but dare not sit in judgment on other human beings fighting battles whose smoke never reaches your nostrils, striving for heights of which you never even dream, and who meanwhile have missed certain degradations which you seem to consider creditable achievements.
Madam, I bid you adieu. That word means "I commend you to God," the God who made the two sexes, and intended love to unite them.
May He enlighten you in other lives, if not in this.
To Maria Owens
A New Woman Contemplating Marriage