What Mary Wollstonecraft thinks about family
English moral and political philosopher (1759 to 1797); author of A Vindication of the Rights of Men (1790) and A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792).
Mary Wollstonecraft did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
Filter family · Newest first
Only Mary Wollstonecraft on family. See everyone on family
11 dated positions, c. 1787 to c. 1792, in their own words. Our reading of what Mary Wollstonecraft has said — not written or endorsed by them.
-
Their wordsParental affection is, perhaps, the blindest modification of perverse self-love; for we have not, like the French two terms (L'amour propre, L'amour de soi meme) to distinguish the pursuit of a natural and reasonable desire, from the ignorant calculations of weakness.
↗A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
-
Their wordsIf parents discharge their duty they have a strong hold and sacred claim on the gratitude of their children; but few parents are willing to receive the respectful affection of their offspring on such terms.
↗A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
-
Their wordsProperty, I do not scruple to aver it, should be fluctuating, which would be the case, if it were more equally divided amongst all the children of a family; else it is an everlasting rampart, in consequence of a barbarous feudal institution, that enables the elder son to overpower talents and depress virtue.
↗A Vindication of the Rights of Men (2nd ed., 1790)en.wikisource.org All 5 from this book
-
Their wordsThe mother (if there are not very weighty reasons to prevent her) ought to suckle her children. Her milk is their proper nutriment, and for some time is quite sufficient.
↗Thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
-
Their wordsI have even felt it, when I have seen a mother perform that office; and am of opinion, that maternal tenderness arises quite as much from habit as instinct.
↗Thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
-
Their wordsNo employment of the mind is a sufficient excuse for neglecting domestic duties, and I cannot conceive that they are incompatible. A woman may fit herself to be the companion and friend of a man of sense, and yet know how to take care of his family.
↗Thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
-
Their wordsI shall not contest about the graces, but the virtues are best learnt at home, if a mother will give up her time and thoughts to the task; but if she cannot, they should be sent to school; for people who do not manage their children well, and have not large fortunes, must leave them often with servants, where they are in danger of still greater corruptions.
↗Thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
-
Their wordsShe who submits, without conviction, to a parent or husband, will as unreasonably tyrannise over her servants; for slavish fear and tyranny go together.
↗Thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
-
Our readingEarly marriages put a stop to improvement
Their wordsEarly marriages are, in my opinion, a stop to improvement.
↗Thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
-
Their wordsNothing is more useful in a family than a little knowledge of physic, sufficient to make the mistress of it a judicious nurse.
↗Thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
-
Their wordsA parent, under distressed circumstances, should be supported, even though it should prevent our saving a fortune for a child; nay more, should they be both in distress at the same time, the prior obligation should be first discharged.
↗Thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book