31 Mary Wollstonecraft Quotes From The Feminist Philosopher And The Mother Of Mary Shelley
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Mary Wollstonecraft was an English author born in the year 1759.
She was a strong crusader of women's rights and wrote numerous books on topics like gender equality and education for women. Although, her writings were not limited to feminism.
Mary also wrote a book about the French Revolution. We have curated a list of the best Mary Wollstonecraft quotes in this article. If you wish to read more quotes around this theme, then take a look at our collection of [Mary Shelley] and Women's Rights quotes.
Mary Wollstonecraft Famous Quotes
Here are the best Mary Wollstonecraft quotes from the esteemed writer.
1. "Simplicity and sincerity generally go hand in hand, as both proceed from a love of truth."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
2. "In fact, it is a farce to call any being virtuous whose virtues do not result from the exercise of its own reason."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
3. "Every political good carried to the extreme must be productive of evil."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
4. "I never wanted but your heart, that gone, you have nothing more to give."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
5. "Friendship is a serious affection; the most sublime of all affections, because it is founded on principle, and cemented by time."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
6. "Surely something resides in this heart that is not perishable—and life is more than a dream."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
7. "My dreams were all my own; I accounted for them to nobody; they were my refuge when annoyed—my dearest pleasure when free."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
Mary Wollstonecraft Quotes On Feminism
These are the best women's rights quotes from Mary Wollstonecraft. These include gender equality quotes too.
8. "Men and women must be educated, in a great degree, by the opinions and manners of the society they live in."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
9. "Virtue can only flourish among equals."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
10. "Children, I grant, should be innocent; but when the epithet is applied to men, or women, it is but a civil term for weakness."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
11. "Women are degraded by the propensity to enjoy the present moment, and, at last, despise the freedom which they have not sufficient virtue to struggle to attain."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
12. "No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
13. "Women have seldom sufficient employment to silence their feelings."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
14. "Make women rational creatures, and free citizens, and they will quickly become good wives;—that is, if men do not neglect the duties of husbands and fathers."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
15. "For the improvement must be mutual, or the injustice which one half of the human race are obliged to submit to, retorting on their oppressors, the virtue of men will be worm-eaten by the insect whom he keeps under his feet."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
16. "Make them free, and they will quickly become wise and virtuous, as men become more so."
- Mary Wollstonecraft.
Mary Wollstonecraft 'A Vindication Of The Rights Of Women' Quotes
Here are the best Mary Wollstonecraft quotes from her book about feminist philosophy.
17. "Considering the length of time that women have been dependent, is it surprising that some of them hug their chains, and fawn like the spaniel?"
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
18. "Love from its very nature must be transitory. To seek for a secret that would render it constant would be as wild a search as for the philosopher’s stone or the grand panacea."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
19. "Nor to dry up the feelings by employing the mind in investigations remote from life."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
20. "I love man as my fellow; but his scepter, real, or usurped, extends not to me, unless the reason of an individual demands my homage, and even then the submission is to reason, and not to man."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
21. "And, perhaps, in the education of both sexes, the most difficult task is so to adjust instruction as not to narrow the understanding, whilst the heart is warmed by the generous juices of spring."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
22. "The soft phrases, susceptibility of heart, delicacy of sentiment, and refinement of taste, are almost synonymous with epithets of weakness, and that those beings are only the objects of pity, and that kind of love which has been termed its sister, will soon become objects of contempt."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
23. "I wish to persuade women to endeavor to acquire strength, both of mind and body."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
24. "It is time to separate unchangeable morals from local manners."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
25. "It is time to effect a revolution in female manners, time to restore to them their lost dignity, and make them, as a part of the human species, labour by reforming themselves to reform the world."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
26. "Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
27. "It is vain to expect virtue from women till they are in some degree independent of men."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
28. "Taught from their infancy that beauty is woman's sceptre, the mind shapes itself to the body, and roaming round its gilt cage, only seeks to adorn its prison."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
29. "If we revert to history, we shall find that the women who have distinguished themselves have neither been the most beautiful nor the most gentle of their sex."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
30. "My own sex, I hope, will excuse me, if I treat them like rational creatures, instead of flattering their fascinating graces, and viewing them as if they were in a state of perpetual childhood, unable to stand alone."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
31. "I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves."
- Mary Wollstonecraft, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Mary Wollstonecraft quotes then why not take a look at Susan B. Anthony quotes, or Elizabeth Cady Stanton quotes.
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Bachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights
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With a wealth of international experience spanning Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, Anusuya brings a unique perspective to her work as a Content Assistant and Content Updating Coordinator. She holds a law degree from India and has practiced law in India and Kuwait. Anusuya is a fan of rap music and enjoys a good cup of coffee in her free time. Currently, she is working on her novel, "Mr. Ivory Merchant".
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