Quotes By Mary Astell

Upon the principles of reason, the good of many is preferable to the good of a few or of one; a lasting good is to be preferred before a temporary, the public before the private.

Although it has been said by men of more wit than wisdom, and perhaps more malice than either, that women are naturally incapable of acting prudently, or that they are necessarily determined to folly, I must by no means grant it.

The Soul debases her self, when she sets her affections on any thing but her creator.

We all agree that its fit to be as Happy as we can, and we need no Instructor to teach us this Knowledge, 'tis born with us, and is inseparable from our Being, but we very much need to be Inform'd what is the true Way to Happiness.

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

Women need not take up with mean things, since (if they are not wanting to themselves) they are capable of the best.

Certain I am, that Christian Religion does no where allow Rebellion.

We may not commit a lesser Sin under pretence to avoid a greater, but we may, nay we ought to endure the greatest Pain and Grief rather than commit the least Sin.

It is not the Head but the Heart that is the Seat of Atheism.

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

Hitherto I have courted Truth with a kind of Romantick Passion, in spite of all Difficulties and Discouragements: for knowledge is thought so unnecessary an Accomplishment for a Woman, that few will give themselves the Trouble to assist us in the Attainment of it.

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

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?

If God had not intended that Women shou'd use their Reason, He wou'd not have given them any, 'for He does nothing in vain.'

The Steps to Folly as well as Sin are gradual, and almost imperceptible, and when we are once on the Decline, we go down without taking notice on't.

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

To all the rest of his Absurdities, (for vice is always unreasonable,) he adds one more, who expects that Vertue from another which he won't practise himself.

How can a Man respect his Wife when he has a contemptible Opinion of her and her Sex?

To plead for the Oppress'd and to defend the Weak seem'd to me a generous undertaking; for tho' it may be secure, 'tis not always Honourable to run over to the strongest party.

Every Body has so good an Opinion of their own Understanding as to think their own way the best.

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

Your glass will not do you half so much service as a serious reflection on your own minds.

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

Women are from their very infancy debarred those Advantages with the want of which they are afterwards reproached.

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

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.

Truth is strong, and sometime or other will prevail.

None of God's Creatures absolutely consider'd are in their own Nature Contemptible; the meanest Fly, the poorest Insect has its Use and Vertue.

We must Think what we Say, and Mean what we Profess.

'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.