Mary Wortley Montagu Quotes
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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.
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Philosophy is the toil which can never tire persons engaged in it. All ways are strewn with roses, and the farther you go, the more enchanting objects appear before you and invite you on.
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True knowledge consists in knowing things, not words.
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A man that is ashamed of passions that are natural and reasonable is generally proud of those that are shameful and silly.
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Tis the established custom [in Vienna] for every lady to have two husbands, one that bears the name, and another that performs the duties.
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We have all our playthings. Happy are they who are contented with those they can obtain; those hours are spent in the wisest manner that can easiest shade the ills of life, and are the least productive of ill consequences.
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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.
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As I approach a second childhood, I endeavor to enter into the pleasures of it.
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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.
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General notions are generally wrong.
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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.
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While conscience is our friend, all is at peace; however once it is offended, farewell to a tranquil mind.
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People are never so near playing the fool as when they think themselves wise.
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A face is too slight a foundation for happiness.
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To always be loved one must ever be agreeable.
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My chief study all my life has been to lighten misfortunes and multiply pleasures, as far as human nature can.
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Men are vile inconstant toads.
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As marriage produces children, so children produce care and disputes; and wrangling.
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I have often observ'd the loudest Laughers to be the dullest Fellows in the Company.
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One can never outlive one's vanity.
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The familiarities of the gaming-table contribute very much to the decay of politeness ... The pouts and quarrels that naturally arise from disputes must put an end to all complaisance, or even good will towards one another.
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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.
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Nature is indeed a specious ward, nay, there is a great deal in it if it is properly understood and applied, but I cannot bear to hear people using it to justify what common sense must disavow. Is not Nature modifed by art in many things? Was it not designed to be so? And is it not happy for human society that it is so? Would you like to see your husband let his beard grow, until he would be obliged to put the end of it in his pocket, because this beard is the gift of Nature?
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Be plain in dress, and sober in your diet; In short, my deary, kiss me, and be quiet.
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Forgive what you can't excuse.
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Civility costs nothing, and buys everything.
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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.
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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.
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The ultimate end of your education was to make you a good wife.
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Remember my unalterable maxim, "When we love, we always have something to say.
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