Montesquieu (1689–1755). Persian Letters. 1901.
Letter XXIIJaron to the first Eunuch
T
I return then to live under your laws, and to share your cares. Great God! what a world of things is necessary for one man’s happiness!
Nature, which seems originally to have placed women in a state of dependence, afterward withdrew them from it, with the result that dissension arose between the sexes because of their mutual rights. The sexes now live in a new kind of unity: hatred is the link between women and us poor eunuchs; between women and men, love is the bond.
My brow begins to wear a constant frown. My eyes dart forth sombre glances, and joy forsakes my lips. Outwardly I appear calm; within unrest reigns. Grief will furrow my face long before wrinkles of old age appear.
I should have greatly enjoyed accompanying my master in his western journey, but my will belongs to him. He wishes me to guard his wives; I shall watch over them faithfully. I know how to behave toward that sex, which, when not allowed to be vain, turns haughty, and which it is easier to break than to bend. I prostrate myself before you.
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