Quotes by Margaret Cavendish

About Margaret Cavendish:

Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne was an English aristocrat, a prolific writer, and a scientist. Born Margaret Lucas, she was the youngest sister of prominent royalists Sir John Lucas and Sir Charles Lucas, who owned the manor of St. John's Abbey in Colchester. She became an attendant of Queen Henrietta Maria and travelled with her into exile in France, living for a time at the court of the young King Louis XIV. She became the second wife of William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1645, when he was a marquess.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

...that much gold, and great store of riches makes them mad, insomuch as they endeavour to destroy each other...

Margaret Cavendish

...that in former ages they had been as wise as they are in this present, nay, wiser; for, said they, many in this age do think their forefathers have been fools, by which they prove themselves to be such.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Women's Tongues are as sharp as two-edged Swords, and wound as much, when they are anger'd.

Margaret Cavendish

there is little difference between man and beast, but what ambition and glory makes.

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

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

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

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

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

Author Bio

  • NameMargaret Cavendish
  • DescriptionEnglish aristocrat, a prolific writer, and a scientist
  • AliasesMargaret Cavendish
  • Born1623
  • DiedDecember 15, 1673
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionPhilosopher; Scientist; Poet; Author