To be a good mother, a woman ...

To be a good mother, a woman must have sense, and that independence of mind which few women possess who are taught to depend entirely on their husbands. Meek wives are, in general, foolish mothers; wanting their children to love them best, and take their part, in secret, against the father, who is held up as a scarecrow.
 See image
 Mary Wollstonecraft

Quotes from the same author

The beginning is always today.
 See image
 Mary Wollstonecraft
Women becoming, consequently, weakerthan they ought to behave not sufficient strength to discharge the first duty of a mother; and sacrificing to lasciviousness the parental affectioneither destroy the embryo in the womb, or cast if off when born. Nature in every thing demands respect, and those who violate her laws seldom violate them with impunity.
 See image
 Mary Wollstonecraft
Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience.
 See image
 Mary Wollstonecraft
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.
 See image
 Mary Wollstonecraft
...I scarcely am able to govern my muscles, when I see a man start with eager, and serious solicitude, to lift a handkerchief, orshut a door, when the lady could have done it herself, had she only moved a pace or two.
 See image
 Mary Wollstonecraft