119 Quotes by Mary Wortley Montagu

[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.

How many thousands ... earnestly seeking what they do not want, while they neglect the real blessings in their possession -- I mean the innocent gratification of their senses, which is all we can properly call our own.

Whatever is clearly expressed is well wrote.

Civility cost nothing.

The one thing that reconciles me to the fact of being a woman is the reflection that it delivers me from the necessity of being married to one.

We are apt to consider Shakespeare only as a poet; but he was certainly one of the greatest moral philosophers that ever lived.

Lord Bacon makes beauty to consist of grace and motion.

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.

It goes far towards reconciling me to being a woman, when I reflect that I am thus in no danger of ever marrying one.