Man is the one who desires, woman the one who is desired. This is woman's entire but decisive advantage. Through man's passions, nature has given man into woman's hands, and the woman who does not know how to make him her subject, her slave, her toy, and how to betray him with a smile in the end is not wise.

Summary

This quote suggests that men are driven by their desires, while women are objects of desire. It argues that women have an advantage over men because they have the power to manipulate and control them through their passions. It implies that a woman who knows how to assert her power over a man and play with his emotions is intelligent and cunning. The quote perpetuates gender stereotypes and suggests that women should use their attractiveness and charm to gain power and control over men.

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