Mary Astell

But, alas! what poor Woman is ever taught that she should have a higher Design than to get her a Husband?

Hitherto I have courted Truth with a kind of Romantick Passion, in spite of all Difficulties and Discouragements: for knowledge is thought so unnecessary an Accomplishment for a Woman, that few will give themselves the Trouble to assist us in the Attainment of it.

How can a Man respect his Wife when he has a contemptible Opinion of her and her Sex?

Although it has been said by men of more wit than wisdom, and perhaps more malice than either, that women are naturally incapable of acting prudently, or that they are necessarily determined to folly, I must by no means grant it.

If God had not intended that Women shou'd use their Reason, He wou'd not have given them any, 'for He does nothing in vain.