Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, (1689-1762), British Society Figure, Letter Writer Quotes

You can be pleased with nothing when you are not pleased with yourself.

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.

But the fruit that can fall without shaking indeed is too mellow for me.

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.

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.

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.

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 Complete Letters of Lady Mary Wortly Montagu.

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.

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.

Whoever will cultivate their own mind will find full employment. Every virtue does not only require great care in the planting, but as much daily solicitude in cherishing as exotic fruits and flowers; the vices and passions (which I am afraid are the natural product of the soil) demand perpetual weeding. Add to this the search after knowledge... and the longest life is too short.