How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
And I finally decided that God formed a vile creature when He made woman. (1.1.1)
After thinking about all the great male philosophers who've said terrible things about women, Christine de Pizan feels like she has no choice but to think that God has cursed her by making her a woman.
Quote #2
There Adam slept, and God formed the body of woman from one of his ribs, signifying that she should stand at his side as a companion and never lie at his feet like a slave, and also that he should love her as his own flesh. (1.9.2)
Many men over the years have seen the creation of Eve as evidence that God created woman to be a slave to man. But Christine insists on a different reading, arguing that the fact that Eve literally came from Adam means that she is a part of him and that he is not whole without her. That means that the two sexes should honor and love one another as partners.
Quote #3
What special favors has God bestowed on women because of their tears! (1.10.3)
Men will often criticize women for being overly emotional and prone to lots of crying. But Christine de Pizan is quick to point out that there are many times in history when God has granted miracles to women who have cried because their tears moved him to pity. So there.
Quote #4
God has similarly ordained man and woman to serve Him in different offices and also to aid and comfort one another, each in their ordained task, and to each sex has given a fitting and appropriate nature and inclination to fulfill their offices. (1.11.1)
Christine de Pizan is pretty sure that God loves men and women equally. But she still believes that God made men and women for different reasons and that each sex has its own job to do. It ain't exactly progressive, but this is the year 1405 we're talking about here.
Quote #5
The King who will judge the whole world will descend, from the sky, and the good and the evil alike will behold Him. (2.2.3)
De Pizan isn't messing around when she talks about God. She's totally confident that Judgment Day is coming, and that God will come out of the sky and judge every single person on Earth depending on whether they've been good or bad.
Quote #6
Even though these sibyls were all born pagans and lived among pagans, they all attacked pagan religion and assailed the pagans for worshipping many gods, declaring that there was only one God and that the idols were useless. (2.1.3)
While making the case for women, Christine de Pizan uses a lot of examples of women who lived before Christianity had spread throughout the world. She excuses this fact, though, by saying that many of the pagan women she praises knew full well that they were worshipping the wrong gods and that the one true God would eventually show their people the way.
Quote #7
Give thanks to God who has led me to undertake this great labor and the desirable task of establishing for you honorable lodging within city walls as a perpetual residence for as long as the world endures. (2.69.1)
Once she finishes building the City of Ladies, Christine de Pizan thanks God for giving her the strength to finish the construction and to create a place where all the great women of history can live forever.
Quote #8
[You] will find little said against them [women] in the holy legends of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. (3.18.1)
Men like to talk a lot of smack about women, but guess where you won't find this kind of talk? In the stories of Jesus Christ, that's where.
Quote #9
So, my ladies, be humble and patient, and God's grace will grow in you, and praise will be given to you as well as the Kingdom of Heaven. (3.19.3)
At the end of her book, de Pizan advises her female readers to be humble and obedient to their husbands. It might make for a pretty lame life, but de Pizan is certain that these good women will get a reward once they die and go to heaven. That's kind of leaving a lot to chance, though.
Quote #10
And may I, your servant, commend myself to you, praying to God who by His grace has granted me to live in this world and to persevere in His holy service. (3.19.6)
Christine de Pizan closes her book by insisting that she is a servant of God and that her only desire is to do what God wants of her.