For certainly there cannot be a higher pleasure than to think that we love and are beloved by the most amiable and best Being. Mary Astell More Quotes by Mary Astell More Quotes From 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 passionlightlying But, alas! what poor Woman is ever taught that she should have a higher Design than to get her a Husband? Mary Astell marriagehusbandshould-have 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. Mary Astell sufferingmenthinking 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. Mary Astell passionaccomplishmentgiving 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 insectscreaturesuse 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 aggravationsinsteps Certain I am, that Christian Religion does no where allow Rebellion. Mary Astell uprisingchristiandoe 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 endeavouroughtmay Women need not take up with mean things, since (if they are not wanting to themselves) they are capable of the best. Mary Astell ifsmeanneeds 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 absurdityvicesadd 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 slaverysacredcases The Soul debases her self, when she sets her affections on any thing but her creator. Mary Astell affectionsoulself . . . he who only or chiefly chose for Beauty, will in a little Time find the same Reason for another Choice. Mary Astell choicesreasonlittles How can a Man respect his Wife when he has a contemptible Opinion of her and her Sex? Mary Astell wifemensex 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. Mary Astell eyefatherson Ignorance and a narrow education lay the foundation of vice, and imitation and custom rear it up. Mary Astell foundationvicesignorance 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 finegardenworld It is not the Head but the Heart that is the Seat of Atheism. Mary Astell seatsatheismheart 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 paingriefmay 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 adamdeceivedmean
