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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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Mary Astell
Age: 64 †
Born: 1666
Born: November 12
Died: 1731
Died: May 11
Feminist
Philosopher
Writer
Newcastle
Woman
Offered
Properly
Allowed
Refuse
Indeed
Accept
Choose
Accepting

More quotes by 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?
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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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If a Woman can neither Love nor Honour, she does ill in promising to Obey.
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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.
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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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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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Whilst our Hearts are violently set upon any thing, there is no convincing us that we shall ever be of another Mind.
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If all men are born free, why is it that all women are born slaves?
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It is not the Head but the Heart that is the Seat of Atheism.
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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.
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Every Body has so good an Opinion of their own Understanding as to think their own way the best.
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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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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.
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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.
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We must Think what we Say, and Mean what we Profess.
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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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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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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.
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Ignorance and a narrow education lay the foundation of vice, and imitation and custom rear it up.
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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