[I]f we revert to history, we shall find that the women who have distinguished themselves have neither been the most beautiful nor the most gentle of their sex.

In every age there has been a stream of popular opinion that has carried all before it, and given a family character, as it were, to the century.

Society can only be happy and free in proportion as it is virtuous.

And this homage to women's attractions has distorted their understanding tosuch an extent that almost all the civilized women of the present century are anxious only to inspire love, when they ought to have the nobler aim of getting respect for their abilities and virtues.

The most perfect education ... is such an exercise of the understanding as is best calculated to strengthen the body and form the heart. Or, in other words, to enable the individual to attain such habits of virtue as will render it independent.

True happiness must arise from well-regulated affections, and an affection includes a duty.

I do earnestly wish to see the distinction of sex confounded in society, unless where love animates the behaviour.