Mary Astell Quotes & Sayings (Page 2)

“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.”

“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.”

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

“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.”

“Marry for Love, an Heroick Action, which makes a mighty noise in the World, partly because of its rarity, and partly in regard of its extravagancy.”

“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.”

“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.”

“He who will be just, must be forc'd to acknowledge, that neither Sex are always in the right.”

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

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