Mary Astell quotes

Mary Astell (1666-1731) was an influential English writer and feminist philosopher. Known for her advocacy of women's education and equality, Astell was a prominent figure of her time. Her work, "A Serious Proposal to the Ladies," sparked conversations about women's rights and challenged societal norms. Astell believed that women deserved the same educational opportunities as men, empowering them to become independent thinkers. She emphasized the importance of female friendships, encouraging women to support and uplift each other. Astell's ideas laid the foundation for the later feminist movement. Explore more about her life and impactful writings here.

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

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

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

If all men are born free, why is it that all women are born slaves?

- Mary Astell

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

It is not the Head but the Heart that is the Seat of Atheism.

- Mary Astell

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.

- Mary Astell

The scum of the People are most Tyrannical when they get the Power, and treat their Betters with the greatest Insolence.

- Mary Astell

We all agree that its fit to be as Happy as we can, and we need no Instructor to teach us this Knowledge, 'tis born with us, and is inseparable from our Being, but we very much need to be Inform'd what is the true Way to Happiness.

- Mary Astell

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.

- Mary Astell

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

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

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

- Mary Astell

None of us whether Men or Women but have so good an Opinion of our own Conduct as to believe we are fit, if not to direct others, at least to govern our selves.

- Mary Astell

Women are not so well united as to form an Insurrection. They are for the most part wise enough to love their Chains, and to discern how becomingly they fit.

- Mary Astell

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

Women need not take up with mean things, since (if they are not wanting to themselves) they are capable of the best.

- Mary Astell

None of God's Creatures absolutely consider'd are in their own Nature Contemptible; the meanest Fly, the poorest Insect has its Use and Vertue.

- Mary Astell

If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born slaves?

- Mary Astell

'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

Truth is strong, and sometime or other will prevail.

- Mary Astell

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

The Span of Life is too short to be trifled away in unconcerning and unprofitable Matters.

- Mary Astell

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.

- Mary Astell

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

- Mary Astell

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

To plead for the Oppress'd and to defend the Weak seem'd to me a generous undertaking; for tho' it may be secure, 'tis not always Honourable to run over to the strongest party.

- Mary Astell

If a Woman can neither Love nor Honour, she does ill in promising to Obey.

- Mary Astell

That Man indeed can never be good at heart, who is full of himself and his own Endowments.

- Mary Astell

We ought as much as we can to endeavour the Perfecting of our Beings, and that we be as happy as possibly we may.

- Mary Astell