Quote

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

Mary Astell

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Mary Astell
Age: 64 †
Born: 1666
Born: November 12
Died: 1731
Died: May 11
Feminist
Philosopher
Writer
Newcastle
Taught
Poor
Woman
Ever
Alas
Husband
Marriage
Design
Higher

More quotes by Mary Astell

Image
Every one knows, that the mind will not be kept from contemplating what it loves in the midst of crowds and business. Hence come those frequent absences, so observable in conversation for whilst the body is confined to present company, the mind is flown to that which it delights in.
Mary Astell
Image
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.
Mary Astell
Image
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
Image
The scum of the People are most Tyrannical when they get the Power, and treat their Betters with the greatest Insolence.
Mary Astell
Image
We must Think what we Say, and Mean what we Profess.
Mary Astell
Image
Ignorance and a narrow education lay the foundation of vice, and imitation and custom rear it up.
Mary Astell
Image
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.
Mary Astell
Image
Every Body has so good an Opinion of their own Understanding as to think their own way the best.
Mary Astell
Image
Women need not take up with mean things, since (if they are not wanting to themselves) they are capable of the best.
Mary Astell
Image
Certain I am, that Christian Religion does no where allow Rebellion.
Mary Astell
Image
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.
Mary Astell
Image
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
Image
God is His own Design and End, and that there is no other Worthy of Him.
Mary Astell
Image
Whilst our Hearts are violently set upon any thing, there is no convincing us that we shall ever be of another Mind.
Mary Astell
Image
The design of Rhetoric is to remove those Prejudices that lie in the way of Truth, to Reduce the Passions to the Government of Reasons to place our Subject in a Right Light, and excite our Hearers to a due consideration of it.
Mary Astell
Image
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.
Mary Astell
Image
It is not the Head but the Heart that is the Seat of Atheism.
Mary Astell
Image
Women are from their very infancy debarred those Advantages with the want of which they are afterwards reproached.
Mary Astell
Image
How can you be content to be in the world like tulips in a garden, to make a fine show, and be good for nothing.
Mary Astell
Image
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