Quote by Lucy Stone, As quoted in The Lif
Women are in bondage; their clothes are a great hindrance to their engaging in any business which will make them pecuniarily independent, and since the soul of womanhood never can be queenly and noble so long as it must beg bread for its body, is it not better, even at the expense of a vast deal of annoyance, that they whose lives deserve respect and are greater than their garments should give an example by which woman may more easily work out her own emancipation?
Summary
This quote argues that women are oppressed and held back by their clothing, which prevents them from engaging in economic activities that would make them financially independent. It suggests that women cannot truly reach their true potential and dignity as long as they rely on others for sustenance. Despite the annoyance it may cause, the quote proposes that women who deserve respect and recognition should take the lead in breaking free from societal expectations, serving as an example to empower other women to strive for their own liberation.