Women who insist upon having the same options as men would do well to consider the option of being the strong silent type.

Women are best when they are quiet.

Men may be way behind in creating choices for themselves, but have actually been quiet supporters of the choices women want for themselves.

I think women should know how to be cultured and traditional, yet independent. That balance is important. Every woman should have the strength to speak for herself.

“A man will never put me in a position where I’m silent anymore. I know my worth, I know who I am and I know what I'm capable of, and besides that, we're not in a century anymore where women remain silent. In Africa, women are supposed to submit to their men once they’re married, but you need to remember that you have a voice. Women need to know their rights.

Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong.

Hold tight to the conviction that a woman is a human being too, who can be independent....Also realize that equality must exist between men and women.

The power of the harasser, the abuser, the rapist depends above all on the silence of women.

Silence is a source of Great Strength.

Why shouldn’t quiet be strong?

A woman should soften but not weaken a man.

All women like men to be strong and decided and following out their careers. A woman wants to be motherly to a man and protect his weak side, but he must have a strong side too, which she can respect ... If you ever care for a woman, I don't advise you to let her see that you've got no ambition. Otherwise she'll get to despise you.

Sometimes silence can be the strongest and most compassionate answer.

It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. Millions are condemned to a stiller doom than mine, and millions are in silent revolt against their lot. Nobody knows how many rebellions besides political rebellions ferment in the masses of life which people earth. Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex.