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What views about marriage and women did Stendhal express in On Love?

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Stendhal Stendhal, oil painting by Pierre-Joseph Dedreux-Dorcy; in the Bibliothèque Municipale de Grenoble, France.

In his 1822 philosophical discourse On Love, Stendhal articulated views that were considered radical for his time. Regarding the social structures of his era, he expressed clear opposition to the institution of marriage.1

Conversely, he advocated for the full education and moral liberty of women, championing their intellectual and personal autonomy. These positions reflect his broader commitment to individual freedom and his tendency to challenge the conventional societal values of his day.12