NOTEBOOK OF A FEMINIST
The masculine mystery

I am not the enemy of men, and if I sometimes criticize them here, it is for their own good. “Know yourself,” said the philosopher. How easy it is if no one helps you! The need that everyone feels makes the success of the confessor and the graphologist. Out of pure goodness, I like to encourage you, gentlemen, in this sport of self-examination, which is difficult among all. So, today, I would like to make it easier for you to analyze the strangest, most complicated, yet most common of male feelings. Turkey has just named a woman deputy. It is the twenty-fifth nation where women receive political rights. Poor France! - Which report ? you say. Wait, If we are so late, it is because, here as in all Latin countries, too many men think that women are inferior to men.
A friendly reader, capable of having very avant-garde ideas on other points. nobles, writes to me bluntly: “Woman must not vote because the lights of your mind, allow me to tell you, are relatively weak compared to ours. He kindly admits a few exceptions. Let those who do not think like him raise their finger! Alas! These are truly exceptions. What is extraordinary is not that a man believes himself superior to all women, because, if we looked deep into each person, we would find, perhaps, that he also believes himself. superior to all men. It's very human. What's extraordinary is not that he thinks it, it's that he says it. This is not said and he knows it well. Never will one gentleman declare to another: “I, who am more intelligent than you…” because what men are most afraid of is ridicule. Why do they stop thinking about it when they're talking to women? Mystery. Ah! if they could see the inner smile of the very people who respond to them most eagerly: “To be superior, you are right” Another mystery! After showing themselves to be ingenuously boastful, here they are humble, so humble, slaves of feminine charm, ready, they swear, to let themselves be led by the nose. But, unfortunately, this is never admitted either. Let us try to say to anyone: “This idea is stupid, but it’s not yours, we suggested it to you!” and we will see a beautiful anger, not because of “idiot” but because of “blown”. This too is very human. After ridicule, what men fear most is appearing to be influenced. So why this. proclamation of canine obedience and to a lesser being. Mystery ! Mystery ! —Me, declared a lady to me, if I were a man, I would glory in shouting that women are very superior to me, but that in vain they command, I only do as I please.. That , at least it would be smart. The proof – and she laughs – the proof is that we do this to them.
Oh lady, speak for yourself. I am not the enemy of men.

JANE MISME