Ernest Belfort Bax

“ A moment's reflection suffices to show that the question of muscular strength or weakness is absolutely immaterial to the issue. It would be just as reasonable to suppose that because the Czar of Russia and his high officials were less muscularly developed than the average Russian peasant, that the possibility of the Russian peasant being seriously oppressed by the Czar or his government was a proposition to be laughed at. The weakest and most frail-woman, backed by the whole power of the State, may easily annihilate by the State forces summoned by her scream, a legion of Samsons or Hercules. ”

“ When looked at fairly in the face, the point in question will be seen so preposterously absurd as to be hardly worth answering. But, nevertheless, absurd as it is, it undoubtedly plays a part, half unconsciously, in the apathy of most men on the question of female privilege. ”

“ We must once more refer, on account of its wide-spreading popularity, to the cheap sneer by which some small but "gallant" wits may endeavour to turn the edge of the foregoing observations, namely, the attempt to play off the muscular inferiority of women to men as an answer to any allegation of oppression exercised or behalf of the so-called weaker sex. ”