THE WOMAN OF EVOLUTION AND PESSIMISM. 319 
business that really claims their earnest attention is 
love, making conquests, and everything connected with 
this—dress, dancing, etc. 
“The more noble and perfect an animal,” he con- 
tinues, “the later is its maturity. The development of 
woman’s reason ceases at eighteen, while 
that of man is imperfect before the age 
of twenty-eight. Woman’s reason is ac- 
curate only as to objects which are quite near. In other 
regards she mistakes appearance for reality and trifles 
for truth.” Man looks “before and after” and con- 
siders the ultimate result of lines of conduct. From 
this forethought he acquires prudence, and this makes 
care and anxiety possible. Woman is short-sighted and 
extravagant; her vision is clear a short way only. 
Hence women are more cheerful than men, because 
they live in the present, not in the past; nor are they 
distressed by the future. But with all this it is well for 
aman to heed a woman’s advice, for she will show him 
the shortest road to the goal. Men see far in front of 
their noses and miss that which is close and obvious. 
Hence women are more sober in judgment, having no 
imagination. 
Women are kind to the unfortunate because they 
have no sense of justice. Most misfortune is criminal 
negligence, Schopenhauer argues, and 
excludes pity, which would be treachery 
to justice. Fixed rules of conduct are 
unknown to women. Being weaker in body and mind, 
they are stronger in craft. The art of dissimulation is 
possessed by all women, stupid as well as 
clever. “Small secrecy verging on de- 
ceit,” says Charles Reade, “thou art bred in woman’s 
bones.” 
“For,” says Schopenhauer, “as lions are provided 
22 
Early maturity 
of women. 
Kindness of 
women, 
Deceit of women. 
