Stanton humorously urges those resistant to social change to clear their minds of old prejudices and embrace reality. She challenges conservative viewpoints, encouraging a fresh, open-minded perspective on current issues and progress, rather than clinging to outdated ideas.
Quote by Elizabeth Cady Stanton: “Come, come, my conservative friend, wipe the dew off your spectacles, and see the world as it is.”
Come, come, my conservative friend, wipe the dew off your spectacles, and see the world as it is.
Insight
Historical Context
In a personal letter to fellow suffragist Susan B. Anthony, Stanton often used wit to encourage and challenge. This expression reflects the frustrations of dealing with rigid opposition to progressive ideas during the tumultuous pre-Civil War period when social reform was gaining traction.
Verify source / Learn moreAbout the Author
American suffragist, social activist, and leading figure in the early women's rights movement who helped organize the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. Her 1892 speech The Solitude of Self is considered one of the finest arguments for women's autonomy in American history.
View all quotes by Elizabeth Cady Stanton