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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

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Mary Astell
Age: 64 †
Born: 1666
Born: November 12
Died: 1731
Died: May 11
Feminist
Philosopher
Writer
Newcastle
Rather
Avoid
Pain
Endure
May
Grief
Sin
Ought
Greatest
Pretence
Least
Lesser
Greater
Commit

More quotes by Mary Astell

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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
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Women are from their very infancy debarred those advantages with the want of which they are aftewards reproached, and nursed up in those vices which will hereafter be upbraided to them. So partial are men as to expect bricks when they afford no straw.
Mary Astell
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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
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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
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Ignorance and a narrow education lay the foundation of vice, and imitation and custom rear it up.
Mary Astell
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How can a Man respect his Wife when he has a contemptible Opinion of her and her Sex?
Mary Astell
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friendship is a virtue which comprehends all the rest none being fit for this, who is not adorned with every other virtue.
Mary Astell
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It is not the Head but the Heart that is the Seat of Atheism.
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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
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Whilst our Hearts are violently set upon any thing, there is no convincing us that we shall ever be of another Mind.
Mary Astell
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But, alas! what poor Woman is ever taught that she should have a higher Design than to get her a Husband?
Mary Astell
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Women need not take up with mean things, since (if they are not wanting to themselves) they are capable of the best.
Mary Astell
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. . . he who only or chiefly chose for Beauty, will in a little Time find the same Reason for another Choice.
Mary Astell
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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
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The scum of the People are most Tyrannical when they get the Power, and treat their Betters with the greatest Insolence.
Mary Astell
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If all men are born free, why is it that all women are born slaves?
Mary Astell
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Certain I am, that Christian Religion does no where allow Rebellion.
Mary Astell
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Every Body has so good an Opinion of their own Understanding as to think their own way the best.
Mary Astell
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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
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God is His own Design and End, and that there is no other Worthy of Him.
Mary Astell