“For a man to strike any women is most brutal, and I, as well as everyone else, think this far worse than any attempt to shoot, which, wicked as it is, is at least more comprehensible and more courageous.”
- May 24, 1819 – January 22, 1901
- British
- Queen of the United Kingdom, Empress of India
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Quote
“For a man to strike any women is most brutal, and I, as well as everyone else, think this far worse than any attempt to shoot, which, wicked as it is, is at least more comprehensible and more courageous.”
Explanation
Queen Victoria’s statement powerfully denounces violence against women, labeling it as “most brutal” and morally worse than even an act as extreme as shooting. Her comparison suggests that physical assault against women is not only cowardly but also socially and morally indefensible. While she acknowledges that an attempt to shoot is “wicked,” she deems it more “comprehensible and more courageous”—a shocking but revealing contrast that underscores her belief that assaulting a woman is a particularly vile form of violence because it preys on perceived vulnerability.
This perspective aligns with Victorian ideals of chivalry and protection of women, but it also hints at a deeper ethical conviction. Victoria elevates the moral seriousness of domestic or gendered violence, distinguishing it from politically or militarily motivated acts, which she implies might at least involve some twisted notion of honor or rationale. In doing so, she recognizes that intimate violence is especially reprehensible because it is both personal and cowardly, often hidden within the sanctity of home or relationship.
In today’s context, this quote resonates with global movements against domestic abuse and gender-based violence, such as #MeToo and international campaigns for women’s rights. By emphasizing that violence against women is not only criminal but especially despicable, Victoria’s words continue to lend historical weight to the call for accountability and social change. Her condemnation reminds us that respect and protection of human dignity should transcend time, rank, or gender.
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