Man makes history; woman is history. The reproduction of the species is feminine: it runs steadily and quietly through all species, animal or human, through all short-lived cultures. It is primary, unchanging, everlasting, maternal, plantlike, and cultureless. If we look back we find that it is synonymous with life itself.

Summary

This quote implies that men are active creators of history while women are merely passive representatives of history through their reproductive role. It suggests that the biological ability to give birth and perpetuate the species is inherently feminine, transcending all species and cultures. The quote portrays this reproductive function as constant, everlasting, nurturing, and devoid of cultural influences. By drawing a parallel between the reproductive process and life itself, it highlights the fundamental significance of women's reproductive contributions in the grand scheme of existence.

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