Julie ou La Nouvelle Héloïse

"Why should I be afraid to speak my mind? This collection, with its Gothic tone, is better suited to women than philosophical books. It may even be useful to those who, despite a disorderly life, have retained some love for honesty. As for young girls, that's another matter. No chaste girl has ever read novels; and I have given this one a title so explicit that upon opening it, one would know what to expect. She who, despite this title, dares to read a single page, is a lost girl: but let her not attribute her ruin to this book; the harm was done beforehand. Since she has started, let her finish reading: she has nothing more to risk."