Margaret Cavendish

But if our sex would but well consider and rationally ponder, they will perceive and find that it is neither words nor place that can advance them, but worth and merit.

And though I might have learnt more wit and advanced my understanding by living in a Court, yet being dull, fearful and bashful, I neither heeded what was said or practised, but just what belonged to my loyal duty and my own honest reputation.

First, they were bred when I was not capable to observe or before I was born; likewise the breeding of men is of a different manner from that of women.

My other brother, the Lord Lucas, who was heir to my father's estate, and as it were the father to take care of us all, is not less valiant than they were, although his skill in the discipline of war was not so much, not being bred therein.

In such misfortunes my Mother was of an heroic spirit, in suffering patiently when there was no remedy, and being industrious where she thought she could help.

My mother was a good mistress to her servants, taking care of them in their sicknesses, not sparing any cost she was able to bestow for their recovery.

Marriage is the grave or tomb of wit.

Indeed I had not much wit, yet I was not an idiot - my wit was according to my years.

As for plenty, we had not only for necessity, conveniency and decency, but for delight and pleasure to superfluity.

As for our garments, my Mother did not only delight to see us neat and cleanly, fine and gay, but rich and costly: maintaining us to the heighth of her estate, but not beyond it.

For Pleasure, Delight, Peace and Felicity live in method and temperance.

For disorder obstructs: besides, it doth disgust life, distract the appetities, and yield no true relish to the senses.