Elizabeth Montagu Quotes & Sayings

Wit in women is apt to have bad consequences; like a sword without a scabbard, it wounds the wearer and provokes assailants. — Elizabeth Montagu

I never invite idiots to my house. — Elizabeth Montagu

Will an intelligent spectator not admire the prodigeous structures of Stone-Henge because he does not know by what law of mechanics they were raised? — Elizabeth Montagu

I often think that those people are the happiest who know nothing at all of the world, and sitting in the little empire of the fireside, where there is no contention or cabal, think we are in a golden age of existance. — Elizabeth Montagu

I endeavor to drink deep of philosophy, and to be wise when I cannot be merry, easy when I cannot be glad, content with what cannot be mended, and patient where there is no redress. The mighty can do no more, and the wise seldom do as much ... I am resolved to make the best of all circumstances around me, that this short life may not be half lost in pains ... Between the periods of birth and burial, I would fain insert a little happiness, a little pleasure, a little peace: to-day is ours, yesterday is past, and to-morrow may never come. — Elizabeth Montagu

The only thing one can do one day one did not do the day before is to die. — Elizabeth Montagu

Not to be miserable is all some people are capable of. — Elizabeth Montagu

Among many reasons for being stupid it may be urged, it is being like other people, and living like one's neighbours, and indeed without it, it may be difficult to love some neighbours as oneself: now seeing the necessity of being dull, you won't, I hope, take it amiss that you find me so ... — Elizabeth Montagu

I endeavor to be wise when I cannot be merry, easy when I cannot be glad, content with what cannot be mended and patient when there be no redress. — Elizabeth Montagu

To judge therefore of Shakespeare by Aristotle's rule is like trying a man by the Laws of one Country who acted under those of another. — Elizabeth Montagu

The outrages of the powerful, the insolence of the rich, scorn of the proud, and malice of the uncharitable, all beating against the broken spirit of the unfortunate. — Elizabeth Montagu

The muses crown virtue when fortune refuses to do it. — Elizabeth Montagu

Any wife will save you from purgatory, and a diligent one will secure heaven to you. — Elizabeth Montagu

Few people know anything of the English history but what they learn from Shakespear; for our story is rather a tissue of personal adventures and catastrophes than a series of political events. — Elizabeth Montagu

I always wish to find great virtues where there are great talents, and to love what I admire ... — Elizabeth Montagu

It is more to my personal happiness and advantage to indulge the love and admiration of excellence, than to cherish a secret envy of it. — Elizabeth Montagu

You will find many a creature by earth, air, and water, that is more beautiful than a woman. — Elizabeth Montagu

It is very unreasonable of people to expect one should be at home, because one is in the house. Of all privileges, that of invisibility is the most valuable. — Elizabeth Montagu

She kindly laments that I am not of the party, and to be sure I honour great ladies, and I admire great wits, but I am of the same opinion in regard to assemblies that is held concerning oysters, that they are never good in a month that has not the letter R in it. — Elizabeth Montagu