Margaret Cavendish quotes

Margaret Cavendish was an English writer, philosopher, and scientist, renowned for her pioneering works in literature and natural philosophy. A prominent figure of the 17th century, she broke social norms by publishing under her own name and engaging with scientific debates. She is remembered for her imaginative science fiction and early advocacy for women's intellectual participation. Here are 23 of her quotes:

If Atomes are as small, as small can bee, They must in quantity of Matter all agree.

Margaret Cavendish

Not that I am ashamed of my mind or body, my birth or breeding, my actions or fortunes, for my bashfulness is in my nature, not for any crime.

Margaret Cavendish

A rude nature is worse than a brute nature by so much more as man is better than a beast: and those that are of civil natures and genteel dispositions are as much nearer to celestial creatures as those that are rude and cruel are to devils.

Margaret Cavendish

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

Margaret Cavendish

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.

Margaret Cavendish

Marriage is the grave or tomb of wit.

Margaret Cavendish

Indeed, I was so afraid to dishonour my friends and family by my indiscreet actions, that I rather chose to be accounted a fool, than to be thought rude or wanton.

Margaret Cavendish

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

Margaret Cavendish

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.

Margaret Cavendish

And though my Lord hath lost his estate and been banished out of his country, yet neither despised poverty nor pinching necessity could make him break the bonds of friendship or weaken his loyal duty.

Margaret Cavendish

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.

Margaret Cavendish

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.

Margaret Cavendish

The spider-men came first, and presented her Majesty with a table full of mathematical points, lines and figures of all sorts of squares, circles, triangles, and the like; which the Empress, notwithstanding that she had a very ready wit, and quick apprehension, could not understand; but the more she endeavoured to learn, the more was she confounded.

Margaret Cavendish

Not because they were servants were we so reserved, for many noble persons are forced to serve through necessity, but by reason the vulgar sort of servants are as ill bred as meanly born, giving children ill examples and worse counsel.

Margaret Cavendish

And not only my own brothers and sisters agreed so but my brothers and sisters in law; and their children, although but young, had the like agreeable natures and affectionate dispositions.

Margaret Cavendish

Indeed I did not stand as a beggar at the Parliament door, for I never was at the Parliament-House, nor stood I ever at the door as I do know or can remember; not as a petitioner I am sure.

Margaret Cavendish

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

Margaret Cavendish

For I, hearing my Lord's estate amongst many more estates was to be sold, and that the wives of the owners should have an allowance therefrom, it gave me hopes I should receive a benefit thereby.

Margaret Cavendish

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.

Margaret Cavendish

As for my brothers, of whom I had three, I know not how they were bred.

Margaret Cavendish