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 CavendishRead
Not that I am ashamed of my mind or body, my birth or breeding, my actions or fortunes, for my bashfulness is in my nature, not for any crime.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses acceptance of oneself and the natural disposition of shyness, highlighting that it is not tied to any wrongdoing.
Margaret Cavendish reflects on the nature of her bashfulness, emphasizing that it does not stem from any shame about herself or her circumstances. Instead, she embraces her personality traits and acknowledges that her shyness is an inherent part of who she is, unrelated to any perceived faults or societal judgments.
Themes
Self-AcceptanceBashfulnessNaturePersonalityShamePride
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about mental health, someone might share this quote to explain the importance of self-acceptance.
More from Margaret Cavendish
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There is more beauty in truth, even if it is a dreadful beauty. The storytellers at the city gate twist life so that it looks sweet to the lazy and the stupid and the weak, and this only strengthens their infirmities and teaches nothing, cures nothing, nor does it let the heart soar.
John SteinbeckRead
A sign of the death of the heart: lack of sadness about beneficial actions you have missed, and lack of regret about your mistakes.
Ibn Ata AllahRead
Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands.
Elisabeth ElliotRead
The difference between a good and a poor architect is that the poor architect succumbs to every temptation and the good one resists it.
Ludwig WittgensteinRead
Bring the mind into sharp focus and make it alert so that it can immediately intuit truth, which is everywhere. The mind must be emancipated from old habits, prejudices, restrictive thought processes and even ordinary thought itself.
Bruce LeeRead
The highest purpose of intellectual cultivation is to give a man a perfect knowledge and mastery of his own inner self.
NovalisRead