“That which has not a real excellency and value in it self, entertains no longer …” — Mary Astell

Women need not take up with mean things, since (if they are not wanting to themselves) they are capable of the best.

Women are from their very infancy debarred those Advantages with the want of which they are afterwards reproached.

We all agree that its fit to be as Happy as we can, and we need no Instructor to teach us this Knowledge, 'tis born with us, and is inseparable from our Being, but we very much need to be Inform'd what is the true Way to Happiness.

To plead for the Oppress'd and to defend the Weak seem'd to me a generous undertaking; for tho' it may be secure, 'tis not always Honourable to run over to the strongest party.