Mary Astell Quotes

46 Sourced Quotes

Whilst our Hearts are violently set upon any thing, there is no convincing us that we shall ever be of another Mind.

Mary Astell
That which has not a real excellency and value in it self, entertains no longer than the giddy Humour which recommended it to us holds.

Mary Astell
'Tis less to be wondered at that women marry off in haste, for if they took time to consider and reflect upon it, they seldom would.

Mary Astell
Tis very great pity that they who are so apt to over-rate themselves in smaller matters, shou'd, where it most concerns them to know, and stand upon their Value, be so insensible of their own worth.

Mary Astell
If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born slaves?

Mary Astell
.. he who only or chiefly chose for Beauty, will in a little Time find the same Reason for another Choice.

Mary Astell
But, alas! what poor Woman is ever taught that she should have a higher Design than to get her a Husband?

Mary Astell
He who will be just, must be forc'd to acknowledge, that neither Sex are always in the right.

Mary Astell
For my part I think the Learned, and Unlearned Blockhead pretty equal; for 'tis all one to me, whether a Man talk Nonsense, or unintelligible Sense, I am diverted and edified alike by either; the one enjoys himself less, but suffers his Friends to do it more; the other enjoys himself and his own Humour enough, but will let no body else do it in his Company.

Mary Astell
Unhappy is that Grandeur which makes us too great to be good; and that Wit which sets us at a distance from true Wisdom.

Mary Astell
If Absolute Sovereignty be not necessary in a State, how comes it to be so in a family?

Mary Astell
A woman indeed can't properly be said to choose, all that is allowed her, is to refuse or accept what is offered.

Mary Astell
Why is Slavery so much condemn'd and strove against in one Case, and so highly applauded and held so necessary and so sacred in another?

Mary Astell
For certainly there cannot be a higher pleasure than to think that we love and are beloved by the most amiable and best Being.

Mary Astell
Ignorance and a narrow education lay the foundation of vice, and imitation and custom rear it up.

Mary Astell
The scum of the People are most Tyrannical when they get the Power, and treat their Betters with the greatest Insolence.

Mary Astell
None of us whether Men or Women but have so good an Opinion of our own Conduct as to believe we are fit, if not to direct others, at least to govern our selves.

Mary Astell
God is His own Design and End, and that there is no other Worthy of Him.

Mary Astell
Nor can the Apostle mean that Eve only sinned; or that she only was Deceived, for if Adam sinned willfully and knowingly, he became the greater Transgressor.

Mary Astell
Women are not so well united as to form an Insurrection. They are for the most part wise enough to love their Chains, and to discern how becomingly they fit.

Mary Astell
We ought as much as we can to endeavour the Perfecting of our Beings, and that we be as happy as possibly we may.

Mary Astell