Single women have a dreadful propensity for being pooröwhich is one very strong argument in favour of matrimony.

-Austen,Jane
  Letter to Fanny Knight,13 Mar.

Possessed, as are all the fair daughters of Eve, of an hereditary propensity, transmitted to them undiminished through succeeding generations, to be 'soonmoved withtheslightesttouch of blame'; very little precept and practice will confirm them in the habit, and instruct them all the maxims, of self-justification.

-Edgeworth, Maria
  Letters for Literary Ladies,'An Essay on the Noble Science of Self- Justification'.