A collection of quotations by Christine de Pizan on equality, hypocrisy, injustice, writing, gender, stereotypes, learning, misogyny, deceit, hope, light and salvation.
Christine de Pizan was a renowned Italian French late medieval feminist writer. She is known to be the first woman to choose writing as a profession. She was surrounded by books from an early age and this established her interest towards writing. She, unfortunately, became a widow at an early age of 25 and had to take the responsibility of her family. She was supported by some noble people like Louis I. She started off by writing poems but soon gained a reputation as a ballad writer. Her ballads fascinated many wealthy patrons who asked her to record their romantic experiences. In the next 20 years, she wrote almost 300 ballads which were greatly appreciated and increased her reputation and fame. She went on to publish her most controversial book titled ‘The Romance of the Rose’ where she commented on the vulgarity of Jean de Meun’s poetry. This book established her reputation as a feminist writer and motivated her to further write on the importance of women in society. This was followed by her most appreciated work called ‘Le Livre de la cité des dames (The Book of the City of Ladies)’ which aimed at teaching women to take a stand for their rights. During her final years, she praised Joan Arc through her lyrical ‘‘Le Ditié de Jehanne d’Arc’’ which turned out to be her last work. Her work, thoughts, writings, ballads, poetry and books have covered varied topics and are a source of inspiration to many. We have scanned her famous books and writings to present her notable quotes. Following is a compilation of quotes and sayings by Christine de Pizan which will surely provide you food for thought.
Ah, child and youth, if you knew the bliss which resides in the taste of knowledge, and the evil and ugliness that lies in ignorance, how well you are advised to not complain of the pain and labor of learning.
Just as women's bodies are softer than men's, so their understanding is sharper.
Christine de Pizan
[A] person whose head is bowed and whose eyes are heavy cannot look at the light.
Christine de Pizan
Does a rake deserve to possess anything of worth, since he chases everything in skirts and then imagines he can successfully hide his shame by slandering [women in general]?
Christine de Pizan
The man or the woman in whom resides greater virtue is the higher; neither the loftiness nor the lowliness of a person lies in the body according to the sex, but in the perfection of conduct and virtues.
Christine de Pizan
The foolish rush to end their lives.
Only the steadfast soul survives.
How many women are there ... who because of their husbands' harshness spend their weary lives in the bond of marriage in greater suffering than if they were slaves among the Saracens?
If you would reflect well and wisely, you would realize that those events you regard as personal misfortunes have served a useful purpose even in this worldly life, and indeed have worked for your betterment.
If it were customary to send little girls to school and teach them the same subjects as are taught to boys, they would learn just as fully and would understand the subtleties of all arts and sciences.
Christine de Pizan
As for those who state that it is thanks to a woman, the lady Eve, that man was expelled from paradise, my answer to them would be that man has gained far more through Mary than he ever lost through Eve.
Christine de Pizan
How was she created? I'm not sure if you realize this, but it was in God's image. How can anybody dare to speak ill of something which bears such a noble imprint?
