A wise woman wishes to be no one's enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone's victim.

Be independent and be a lady.

Feminism...is not 'women as victims' but women refusing to be victims.

I am not a victim of emotional conflicts. I am human.

Her upbringing had given her an independence of mind that made her more like a girl of today than one of her own time - which was why she had walked out, and why she was not daunted by the prospect of being alone.

My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent

I am proud of the fact that I never invented weapons to kill.

"I am a free human being with an independent will."
Jane Eyre

…proved that woman isn't a half but a whole human being, and can stand alone.

I am somebody. I am me. And I don't need anybody to make me somebody.

My mother raised me, and then freed me,

My great treasure is that I am my own master, that I am not dependent upon anyone, and that I am not afraid of misfortunes.

I never fall apart, because I never fall together.

I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.