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Raden Adjeng Kartini

Letters of a Javanese Princess

  • Maya Savitrihas quoted4 years ago
    long to be free, to be able to stand alone, to study, not to be subject to any one, and, above all, never, never to be obliged to marry.

    But we must marry, must, must. Not to marry is the greatest sin which the Mohammedan woman can commit; it is the greatest disgrace which a native girl can bring to her family.

    And marriage among us—Miserable is too feeble an expression for it. How can it be otherwise, when the laws have made everything for the man and nothing for the woman?
  • Zain Rasoolhas quotedlast month
    It takes me back to times of which I must not think. It makes me weak and sad
  • Zain Rasoolhas quotedlast month
    We think sometimes with reason, what is civilization? Does it consist in a commanding tone, or in hypocrisy
  • Zain Rasoolhas quotedlast month
    Without strength, all other good qualities are of little worth
  • Zain Rasoolhas quotedlast month
    Those who embittered our childish years, were also our teachers, for they taught us to avoid being like themselves. Another proof that sorrow justifies its existence.
  • Zain Rasoolhas quotedlast month
    Physical punishment embitters, but never cures. That is our conviction
  • Zain Rasoolhas quotedlast month
    Javanese language? It is difficult—certainly, but it is beautiful. It is a sentient language; often the words seem to be conscious, they express so much
  • Zain Rasoolhas quotedlast month
    gamelan never rejoices, even at the most extravagant festivals, its tone is mournful
  • Zain Rasoolhas quotedlast month
    There is no word for poetry in our language. We say "bloementaal," and is it not well said
  • Zain Rasoolhas quotedlast month
    There was once a child who went to an old woman who asked her what she would like to have, for the little one had neither sweets, nor ornaments, nor clothes; but the child said "Oh Mother, give me a flower that opens in the heart."
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