Christine De Pizan Quotes

A woman with a mind is fit for any task.

I considered myself most unfortunate because God had made me inhabit a female body in this world

It is a deed of greater charity to give a bit of bread to the poor in the time of high prices and famine, than a whole loaf in the time of fertility and abundance.

Just as women's bodies are softer than men's, so their understanding is sharper.

If it has to be that wars and battles are begun for many reasons and quarrels, then they should also be avoided and shunned by better and more valid reasons.

The foolish rush to end their lives. Only the steadfast soul survives.

there is no fire without smoke but there is often smoke without fire.

Only the dead fail to reach out with both hands.

How many women are there ... who because of their husbands' harshness spend their weary lives in the bond of marriage in greater suffering than if they were slaves among the Saracens?

Poetry's object is truth.

Does a rake deserve to possess anything of worth, since he chases everything in skirts and then imagines he can successfully hide his shame by slandering [women in general]?

Though sad at heart, to sing joyfully.

We've never heardAbout a marvel quite so great, For all the heroes who have livedIn history can't measure upIn bravery against the Maid.

How was she created? I'm not sure if you realize this, but it was in God's image. How can anybody dare to speak ill of something which bears such a noble imprint?

By nature man without woman can feel no joy. She is his mother, his sister, his loving friend. She is seldom his enemy.

These are my habits and the way I spend my life: studying literature.

... one could find plenty of intelligent women in the world if one were willing to look.

For you know that any evil spoken of women so generally only hurts those who say it, not women themselves.

I do not consider my deeds or my knowledge to be a great thing. The only fact is — and I can say this honestly — that I love learning and a solitary life.

The foolish rush to end their lives.Only the steadfast soul survives.

For this reason, it is well said that misfortune is sometimes good for something, for it teaches at the same time that it hurts.

[A] person whose head is bowed and whose eyes are heavy cannot look at the light.

Speak gently but look out for your rights.