True knowledge consists in knowing things, not words. Mary Wortley Montagu More Quotes by Mary Wortley Montagu More Quotes From Mary Wortley Montagu Conscience is justice's best minister; it threatens, promises, rewards, and punishes and keeps all under control; the busy must attend to its remonstrances, the most powerful submit to its reproof, and the angry endure its upbraidings. While conscience is our friend all is peace; but if once offended farewell the tranquil mind. Mary Wortley Montagu powerful farewell justice The most romantic region of every country is that where the mountains unite themselves with the plains or lowlands. Mary Wortley Montagu most-romantic mountain country I have all my life been on my guard against the information conveyed by the sense of hearing -- it being one of my earliest observations, the universal inclination of humankind is to be led by the ears, and I am sometimes apt to imagine that they are given to men as they are to pitchers, purposely that they may be carried about by them. Mary Wortley Montagu ears may men General notions are generally wrong. Mary Wortley Montagu assessment notion women The knowledge of numbers is one of the chief distinctions between us and the brutes. Mary Wortley Montagu chiefs distinction numbers Nobody should trust their virtue with necessity, the force of which is never known till it is felt, and it is therefore one of the first duties to avoid the temptation of it. Mary Wortley Montagu virtue temptation firsts I have never, in all my various travels, seen but two sorts of people I mean men and women, who always have been, and ever will be, the same. The same vices and the same follies have been the fruit of all ages, though sometimes under different names. Mary Wortley Montagu women nature mean A woman, till five-and-thirty, is only looked upon as a raw girl, and can possibly make no noise in the world till about forty. Mary Wortley Montagu girl noise world As marriage produces children, so children produce care and disputes; and wrangling. Mary Wortley Montagu witty funny children I know a love may be revived which absence, inconstancy, or even infidelity has extinguished, but there is no returning from a dTgovt given by satiety. Mary Wortley Montagu infidelity broken-heart love A man that is ashamed of passions that are natural and reasonable is generally proud of those that are shameful and silly. Mary Wortley Montagu passion stupid silly Be plain in dress, and sober in your diet; In short, my deary, kiss me, and be quiet. Mary Wortley Montagu women romantic-love kissing The ultimate end of your education was to make you a good wife. Mary Wortley Montagu good-wife wife ends I believe more follies are committed out of complaisance to the world, than in following our own inclinations. Mary Wortley Montagu empathy apathy believe The pretty fellows you speak of, I own entertain me sometimes, but is it impossible to be diverted with what one despises? I can laugh at a puppet show, at the same time I know there is nothing in it worth my attention or regard. Mary Wortley Montagu flirty flirting laughing No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting. She will not want new fashions nor regret the loss of expensive diversions or variety of company if she can be amused with an author in her closet. Mary Wortley Montagu fashion regret reading I don't say 'Tis impossible for an impudent man not to rise in the world, but a moderate merit with a large share of impudence is more probable to be advanced than the greatest qualifications without it. Mary Wortley Montagu merit men world Writers of novels and romance in general bring a double loss to their readers; robbing them of their time and money; representing men, manners, and things, that never have been, or are likely to be. Mary Wortley Montagu money loss men See how that pair of billing doves With open murmurs own their loves And, heedless of censorious eyes, Pursue their unpolluted joys: No fears of future want molest The downy quiet of their nest. Mary Wortley Montagu nests eye joy To always be loved one must ever be agreeable. Mary Wortley Montagu loved-ones love
