Tis the established custom [in Vienna] for every lady to have two husbands, one that bears the name, and another that performs the duties. Mary Wortley Montagu More Quotes by Mary Wortley Montagu More Quotes From Mary Wortley Montagu 'Tis a sort of duty to be rich, that it may be in one's power to do good, riches being another word for power. Mary Wortley Montagu richespowermay There is nothing can pay one for that invaluable ignorance which is the companion of youth, those sanguine groundless hopes, and that lively vanity which makes all the happiness of life. Mary Wortley Montagu vanityignorancepay We travellers are in very hard circumstances. If we say nothing but what has been said before us, we are dull and have observed nothing. If we tell anything new, we are laughed at as fabulous and romantic. Mary Wortley Montagu romanticdulltravel There can be no situation in life in which the conversation of my dear sister will not administer some comfort to me. Mary Wortley Montagu situations-in-lifesistersibling It has all been most interesting. Mary Wortley Montagu most-interestingwarinteresting True knowledge consists in knowing things, not words. Mary Wortley Montagu knowing-thingstrue-knowledgeknowing Life is too short for a long story Mary Wortley Montagu lifefunnylong Nature is seldom in the wrong, custom always. Mary Wortley Montagu customsnature I wish you would moderate that fondness you have for your children. I do not mean you should abate any part of your care, or not do your duty to them in its utmost extent, but I would have you early prepare yourself for disappointments, which are heavy in proportion to their being surprising. Mary Wortley Montagu disappointmentmeanchildren People commonly educate their children as they build their houses, according to some plan they think beautiful, without considering whether it is suited to the purposes for which they are designed. Mary Wortley Montagu educationbeautifulchildren Nature has not placed us in an inferior rank to men, no more than the females of other animals, where we see no distinction of capacity, though I am persuaded if there was a commonwealth of rational horses... it would be an established maxim amongst them that a mare could not be taught to pace. Mary Wortley Montagu horseanimalmen Satire should, like a polished razor keen, Wound with a touch that's scarcely felt or seen. Mary Wortley Montagu satirerazorsshould Time has the same effect on the mind as on the face; the predominant passion and the strongest feature become more conspicuous from the others retiring. Mary Wortley Montagu passionmindfaces I am patriot enough to take pains to bring this usefull invention into fashion in England, and I should not fail to write to some of our Doctors very particularly about it, if I knew anyone of 'em that I thought had Virtue enough to destroy such a considerable branch of Revenue for the good of Mankind, but that Distemper is too beneficial to them not to expose to all their Resentment the hardy wight that should undertake to put an end to it. Mary Wortley Montagu fashionpainwriting Prudent people are very happy; 'tis an exceeding fine thing, that's certain, but I was born without it, and shall retain to my day of Death the Humour of saying what I think. Mary Wortley Montagu prudentpeoplethinking It is 11 years since I have seen my figure in a glass [mirror]. The last reflection I saw there was so disagreeable I resolved to spare myself such mortification in the future. Mary Wortley Montagu glassesmirrorsreflection No modest man ever did or ever will make a fortune. Mary Wortley Montagu modestyfortunemen I hate the noise and hurry inseparable from great Estates and Titles, and look upon both as blessings that ought only to be given to fools, for 'Tis only to them that they are blessings. Mary Wortley Montagu titleshateblessing Lord Bacon makes beauty to consist of grace and motion. Mary Wortley Montagu gracelordbeauty The use of knowledge in our sex (beside the amusement of solitude) is to moderate the passions and learn to be contented with a small expense, which are the certain effects of a studious life and, it may be, preferable even to that fame which men have engrossed to themselves and will not suffer us to share. Mary Wortley Montagu passionsexknowledge
