1869 · English

The Subjection of Women

John Stuart Mill

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3 selected passages and classifications

Passage 1

The equality of married persons before the law, is not only the sole mode in which that particular relation can be made consistent with justice to both sides, and conducive to the happiness of both, but it is the only means of rendering the daily life of mankind, in any high sense, a school of moral cultivation. Though the truth may not be felt or generally acknowledged for generations to come, the only school of genuine moral sentiment is society between equals. The moral education of mankind has hitherto emanated chiefly from the law of force, and is adapted almost solely to the relations which force creates. In the less advanced states of society, people hardly recognise any relation with their equals. To be an equal is to be an enemy. Society, from its highest place to its lowest, is one long chain, or rather ladder, where every individual is either above or below his nearest neighbour, and wherever he does not command he must obey. Existing moralities, accordingly, are mainly fitted to a relation of command and obedience. Yet command and obedience are but unfortunate necessities of human life: society in equality is its normal state.

Moral responsibility Habit and self-command human institutions · advances govern · advances Rights and self-government Character and human development Enlarges autonomy

Mill argues that legal equality in marriage is necessary for justice and happiness, and that relations among equals cultivate genuine moral sentiment better than command and obedience. He therefore presents equality as a social and legal arrangement that enlarges human moral development and self-government.

Local word range 18106–18530

Passage 2

All women are brought up from the very earliest years in the belief that their ideal of character is the very opposite to that of men; not self-will, and government by self-control, but submission, and yielding to the control of others. All the moralities tell them that it is the duty of women, and all the current sentimentalities that it is their nature, to live for others; to make complete abnegation of themselves, and to have no life but in their affections.

Habit and self-command Free will and automatism dependence · advances cultivate capacities · advances Character and human development Rights and self-government Diminishes autonomy Individual Interpersonal Institutional Mind and body Administration and public order

Mill argues that gendered education produces dependence by forming character around submission rather than self-command.

The Subjection of Women, chapter I

Passage 3

The equality of married persons before the law, is not only the sole mode in which that particular relation can be made consistent with justice to both sides, and conducive to the happiness of both, but it is the only means of rendering the daily life of mankind, in any high sense, a school of moral cultivation. Though the truth may not be felt or generally acknowledged for generations to come, the only school of genuine moral sentiment is society between equals. The moral education of mankind has hitherto emanated chiefly from the law of force, and is adapted almost solely to the relations which force creates.

Moral responsibility Habit and self-command human institutions · advances govern · advances Rights and self-government Character and human development Enlarges autonomy Interpersonal Institutional Administration and public order

Mill presents equal legal marriage as both justice and the social condition for genuine moral education.

The Subjection of Women, chapter II

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