Quote by Marquis de Sade
Never may an act of possession be exercised upon a free being; the exclusive possession of a woman is no less unjust than the possession of slaves; all men are born free, all have equal rights: never should we lose sight of those principles; according to which never may there be granted to one sex the legitimate right to lay monopolizing hands upon the other, and never may one of the sexes, or classes, arbitrarily possess the other.
Summary
This quote emphasizes the belief that no individual should be possessed or treated as property, implying that women should not be treated as possessions or held in exclusive possession by men, just as slavery is considered unjust. It argues for the equality and freedom of all individuals, asserting that everyone is entitled to the same rights and privileges. The quote rejects the idea that one gender or class can have legitimate authority or control over the other, advocating for the elimination of arbitrary possession and advocating for equal treatment and respect for all.