I. Women as an Institution.

Name: Terence Denville - I. Women as an Institution.
Author: Bret Harte

"If it were not for women, few of us would at present be in existence." This is the remark of a cautious and discreet writer. He was also sagacious and intelligent.

Woman! Look upon her and admire her. Gaze upon her and love her. If she wishes to embrace you, permit her. Remember she is weak and you are strong.

But don’t treat her unkindly. Don’t make love to another woman before her face, even if she be your wife. Don’t do it. Always be polite, even should she fancy somebody better than you.

If your mother, my dear Amadis, had not fancied your father better than somebody, you might have been that somebody’s son. Consider this. Always be a philosopher, even about women.

Few men understand women. Frenchmen, perhaps, better than any one else. I am a Frenchman.

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Chicago: Bret Harte, "I. Women as an Institution.," Terence Denville, ed. Davis, Charles Belmont, 1866-1926 in Terence Denville (New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1920), Original Sources, accessed March 13, 2026, http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=IRNWGNIPRX6FJX6.

MLA: Harte, Bret. "I. Women as an Institution." Terence Denville, edited by Davis, Charles Belmont, 1866-1926, in Terence Denville, Vol. 22, New York, Doubleday, Page & Company, 1920, Original Sources. 13 Mar. 2026. http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=IRNWGNIPRX6FJX6.

Harvard: Harte, B, 'I. Women as an Institution.' in Terence Denville, ed. . cited in 1920, Terence Denville, Doubleday, Page & Company, New York. Original Sources, retrieved 13 March 2026, from http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=IRNWGNIPRX6FJX6.