Mary Wortley Montagu
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.Collection: Trust
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.Collection: Romantic
In short I will part with anything for you but you.Collection: Romantic
The ultimate end of your education was to make you a good wife.Collection: Education
Solitude begets whimsies.
Life is too short for a long story.
Civility costs nothing, and buys everything.
No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.
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.
I prefer liberty to chains of diamonds.
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.
A face is too slight a foundation for happiness.
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.
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.
Nobody can deny but religion is a comfort to the distressed, a cordial to the sick, and sometimes a restraint on the wicked; therefore whoever would argue or laugh it out of the world without giving some equivalent for it ought to be treated as a common enemy.
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.
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.
While conscience is our friend, all is at peace; however once it is offended, farewell to a tranquil mind.
We are no more free agents than the queen of clubs when she victoriously takes prisoner the knave of hearts.
No modest man ever did or ever will make a fortune.
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.
A man that is ashamed of passions that are natural and reasonable is generally proud of those that are shameful and silly.
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.
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.
You can be pleased with nothing if you are not pleased with yourself.Collection: Inspirational
True knowledge consists in knowing things, not words.Collection: Knowing
People are never so near playing the fool as when they think themselves wise.Collection: Wise
There is no remedy so easy as books, which if they do not give cheerfulness, at least restore quiet to the most troubled mind.Collection: Book
General notions are generally wrong.Collection: Women
Life is too short for a long storyCollection: Funny
To always be loved one must ever be agreeable.Collection: Love
Satire should, like a polished razor keen, Wound with a touch that's scarcely felt or seen.Collection: Razors
We are educated in the grossest ignorance, and no art omitted to stifle our natural reason; if some few get above their nurses instructions, our knowledge must rest concealed and be as useless to the world as gold in the mine.Collection: Art
Gardening is certainly the next amusement to reading.Collection: Reading
People wish their enemies dead - but I do not; I say give them the gout, give them the stone!Collection: People
My chief study all my life has been to lighten misfortunes and multiply pleasures, as far as human nature can.Collection: Study
I believe more follies are committed out of complaisance to the world, than in following our own inclinations.Collection: Believe
Nature is seldom in the wrong, custom always.Collection: Nature
I am afraid we are little better than straws upon the water; we may flatter ourselves that we swim, when the current carries us along.Collection: Fate
It was formerly a terrifying view to me that I should one day be an old woman. I now find that Nature has provided pleasures for every state.Collection: Views
Be plain in dress, and sober in your diet; In short, my deary, kiss me, and be quiet.Collection: Women
Forgive what you can't excuse.Collection: Forgiveness
Begin nothing without considering what the end may be.Collection: Advice
But the fruit that can fall without shaking Indeed is too mellow for me.Collection: Success
[On her political writings:] It is, I confess, very possible that these my Labours may only be destined to line Trunks, or preserve roast Meat from too fierce a Fire; yet in that Shape I shall be useful to my Country.Collection: Country
Lord Bacon makes beauty to consist of grace and motion.Collection: Beauty
We should ask, not who is the most learned, but who is the best learned.Collection: Education
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.Collection: Eye
As marriage produces children, so children produce care and disputes; and wrangling.Collection: Funny
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.Collection: Shade