Mary Astell Quotes - Page 2

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.

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.

Certain I am, that Christian Religion does no where allow Rebellion.

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

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

Whilst our Hearts are violently set upon any thing, there is no convincing us that we shall ever be of another Mind.

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

If none were to Marry, but Men of strict Vertue and Honour, I doubt the World would be but thinly peopled.

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.

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.

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.

none can be Tyrants but Cowards.

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.

God is His own Design and End, and that there is no other Worthy of Him.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

The Soul debases her self, when she sets her affections on any thing but her creator.

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.

The Relation we bear to the Wisdom of the Father, the Son of His Love, gives us indeed a dignity which otherwise we have no pretence to. It makes us something, something considerable even in God's Eyes.

. . . he who only or chiefly chose for Beauty, will in a little Time find the same Reason for another Choice.

For my part I think the Learned, and Unlearned Blockhead pretty equal; for 'tis all one to me, whether a Man talk Nonsense, or unintelligible Sense, I am diverted and edified alike by either; the one enjoys himself less, but suffers his Friends to do it more; the other enjoys himself and his own Humour enough, but will let no body else do it in his Company.

friendship is a virtue which comprehends all the rest; none being fit for this, who is not adorned with every other virtue.