Mary Wortley Montagu Quotes (26 Quotes)

No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.

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.

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.

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.

Life is too short for a long story.

It is eleven years since I have seen my figure in a glass. The last reflection I saw there was so disagreeable, I resolved to spare myself such mortification in the future.

Take back the beauty and wit you bestow upon me leave me my own mediocrity of agreeableness and genius, but leave me also my sincerity, my constancy, and my plain dealing 'tis all I have to recommend me to the esteem either of others or myself.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

It is the common error of builders and parents to follow some plan they think beautiful (and perhaps is so) without considering that nothing is beautiful that is misplaced.

No modest man ever did or ever will make a fortune.

Whatever is clearly expressed is well wrote.

Civility costs nothing, and buys everything.

I prefer liberty to chains of diamonds.

The ultimate end of your education was to make you a good wife.

It was formerly a terrifying view to me that I should one day be an old woman. I now find that Nature has provided pleasure for every state.

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.

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.

Solitude begets whimsies.

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.

In short I will part with anything for you but you.