Civility costs nothing, and buys everything.
Mary Wortley Montagu

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.
Mary Wortley Montagu

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.
Mary Wortley Montagu

I prefer liberty to chains of diamonds.
Mary Wortley Montagu

In short I will part with anything for you but you.
Mary Wortley Montagu

Life is too short for a long story.
Mary Wortley Montagu

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

No modest man ever did or ever will make a fortune.
Mary Wortley Montagu

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.
Mary Wortley Montagu

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.
Mary Wortley Montagu


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.
Mary Wortley Montagu

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.
Mary Wortley Montagu

Solitude begets whimsies.
Mary Wortley Montagu

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.
Mary Wortley Montagu

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

We are no more free agents than the queen of clubs when she victoriously takes prisoner the knave of hearts.
Mary Wortley Montagu

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.
Mary Wortley Montagu

While conscience is our friend, all is at peace; however once it is offended, farewell to a tranquil mind.
Mary Wortley Montagu

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.
Mary Wortley Montagu