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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
May
Grief
Sin
Ought
Greatest
Pretence
Least
Lesser
Greater
Commit
Rather
Avoid
Pain
Endure

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If a Woman can neither Love nor Honour, she does ill in promising to Obey.
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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.
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It is not the Head but the Heart that is the Seat of Atheism.
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Women are from their very infancy debarred those Advantages with the want of which they are afterwards reproached.
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We must Think what we Say, and Mean what we Profess.
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. . . he who only or chiefly chose for Beauty, will in a little Time find the same Reason for another Choice.
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If all men are born free, why is it that all women are born slaves?
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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How can a Man respect his Wife when he has a contemptible Opinion of her and her Sex?
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Certain I am, that Christian Religion does no where allow Rebellion.
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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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.
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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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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.
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