119 Quotes by Mary Wortley Montagu

People wish their enemies dead – but I do not; I say give them the gout, give them the stone!

I have often observ’d the loudest Laughers to be the dullest Fellows in the Company.

Satire should, like a polished razor keen, Wound with a touch that’s scarcely felt or seen.

It’s all been very interesting.

Only a mother knows a mother’s fondness.

One can never outlive one’s vanity.

Let this great maxim be my virtue’s guide,- In part she is to blame that has been tried: He comes too near that comes to be denied.

The pious farmer, who ne’er misses pray’rs, With patience suffers unexpected rain; He blesses Heav’n for what its bounty spares, And sees, resign’d, a crop of blighted grain. But, spite of sermons, farmers would blaspheme, If a star fell to set their thatch on flame.

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.