--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I had been the Virgin Mary, I would…" description: "\"If I had been the Virgin Mary, I would have said \"No.\"\" — Margaret Smith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/margaret-smith-33490_mary_if-i-had-been-the-virgin-mary-i-would-ha_1184190.png" --- # If I had been the Virgin Mary, I would have said "No." ![“If I had been the Virgin Mary, I would have said "No."” quote by Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/margaret-smith-33490_mary_if-i-had-been-the-virgin-mary-i-would-ha_1184190.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/margaret-smith-33490_mary_if-i-had-been-the-virgin-mary-i-would-ha_1184190.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/margaret-smith-33490_mary_if-i-had-been-the-virgin-mary-i-would-ha_1184190.png) > “If I had been the Virgin Mary, I would have said "No."” [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If she were the Virgin Mary, she would refuse the role, implying agency over destiny. **In simple terms:** She’d say no, asserting personal choice. Key Takeaway Acknowledge personal agency in defining destiny. Themes faith agency choice identity mythology Mood contemplative provocative Type cultural philosophical When to use this quote - career decisions - spiritual reflection - ethical dilemmas - personal empowerment Key Concepts theology feminist critique autonomy Questions to Reflect On - What does saying “no” mean for personal freedom? - How do cultural myths shape choices? A Different Perspective Religious narratives often limit agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Virgin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virgin/) [Virgin mary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virgin-mary/) ## Related quotes > [“When also I am told that a woman, called the Virgin Mary, said, or gave out, that she was with child without any cohabitation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/when-also-i-am-told-that-a-woman-called-the-virgin-mary-said-or-gave/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“The wind,” Mary said again. “It was making everyone tear up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-mcdermott/the-wind-mary-said-again-it-was-making-everyone-tear-up/) [Alice McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-mcdermott/) > [It's never been confirmed that Elizabeth I was a virgin. It's like the Virgin Mary - it's about branding, a logo. To use a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/it-s-never-been-confirmed-that-elizabeth-i-was-a-virgin-it-s-like-the/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [In myself I am nothing. It all comes from God and the Virgin Mary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lech-walesa/in-myself-i-am-nothing-it-all-comes-from-god-and-the-virgin-mary/) [Lech Walesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lech-walesa/) > [Only comedians can talk about death, life, God and Virgin Mary. If I was a tragic actor, I couldn't allow myself. But with this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-benigni/only-comedians-can-talk-about-death-life-god-and-virgin-mary-if-i-was/) [Roberto Benigni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-benigni/) > [If anyone does not believe that Holy Mary is the Mother of God, he is severed from the Godhead. If anyone should assert that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/if-anyone-does-not-believe-that-holy-mary-is-the-mother-of-god-he-is/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [“But the work which most richly embroidered the gospel narratives and was destined to exert a tremendous influence on later Mariology was the Protoevangelium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-n-d-kelly/but-the-work-which-most-richly-embroidered-the-gospel-narratives-and/) J.N.D. Kelly > [Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/let-us-run-to-mary-and-as-her-little-children-cast-ourselves-into-her/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [It is impossible to save one's soul without devotion to Mary and without her protection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anselm-of-canterbury/it-is-impossible-to-save-one-s-soul-without-devotion-to-mary-and/) [Anselm of Canterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anselm-of-canterbury/) > [I never said I was an angel. Nor am I innocent or holy like the Virgin Mary. What I am is natural and serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-souljah/i-never-said-i-was-an-angel-nor-am-i-innocent-or-holy-like-the-virgin/) [Sister Souljah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-souljah/) > [Men do not fear a powerful hostile army as the powers of hell fear the name and protection of Mary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonaventure/men-do-not-fear-a-powerful-hostile-army-as-the-powers-of-hell-fear/) [Bonaventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonaventure/) > [Jesus did not have human blood: He was born of the virgin Mary with the divine blood of His Father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-angley/jesus-did-not-have-human-blood-he-was-born-of-the-virgin-mary-with/) [Ernest Angley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-angley/) > [“For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-church-fathers/for-what-the-virgin-eve-had-bound-fast-through-unbelief-this-did-the/) The Church Fathers > [Let us learn from the Virgin Mary how to be bolder in obeying the word of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/let-us-learn-from-the-virgin-mary-how-to-be-bolder-in-obeying-the/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Mary seeks for those who approach her devoutly and with reverence, for such she loves, nourishes, and adopts as her children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonaventure/mary-seeks-for-those-who-approach-her-devoutly-and-with-reverence-for/) [Bonaventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonaventure/) ## More by Margaret Smith > [“A cult is a group of people who share an obsessive devotion to a person or idea. The cults described in this book use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/a-cult-is-a-group-of-people-who-share-an-obsessive-devotion-to-a/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [I don't visit my parents often because Delta Airlines won't wait in the yard while I run in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/i-don-t-visit-my-parents-often-because-delta-airlines-won-t-wait-in/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [Only when all images of Earth are hushed and the clamor of the senses be stilled, and the soul has passed beyond thought of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/only-when-all-images-of-earth-are-hushed-and-the-clamor-of-the-senses/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [My uncle Sammy was an angry man. He had printed on his tombstone: What are you looking at?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/my-uncle-sammy-was-an-angry-man-he-had-printed-on-his-tombstone-what/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [Safety was not a big thing when I was growing up. A seat belt was something that got in the way: 'Ma, the seat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/safety-was-not-a-big-thing-when-i-was-growing-up-a-seat-belt-was/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [I went out to dinner with a Marine last weekend. He looked across the table and he goes, "I could kill you in seven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/i-went-out-to-dinner-with-a-marine-last-weekend-he-looked-across-the/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [Sin recognized but that may keep us humble, But oh, it keeps us nasty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/sin-recognized-but-that-may-keep-us-humble-but-oh-it-keeps-us-nasty/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [“Betrayal is too kind a word to describe a situation in which a father says he loves his daughter but claims he must teach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/betrayal-is-too-kind-a-word-to-describe-a-situation-in-which-a-father/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [I hate people. People make me pro-nuclear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/i-hate-people-people-make-me-pro-nuclear/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [My mom's Jewish and my dad's Irish Catholic alcoholic, so I whine on the inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/my-mom-s-jewish-and-my-dad-s-irish-catholic-alcoholic-so-i-whine-on/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [“Multiple Personality Disorder—MPD—is not a game. It's not "acting" to impress anyone. Trust me, survivors do not receive positive attention for being multiple. Anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/multiple-personality-disorder-mpd-is-not-a-game-it-s-not-acting-to/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [The best contraceptive is the word no - repeated frequently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/the-best-contraceptive-is-the-word-no-repeated-frequently/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [I can't get a relationship to last longer than it takes to make copies of their tapes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/i-can-t-get-a-relationship-to-last-longer-than-it-takes-to-make/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) > [There's a light at the end of the tunnel. And it's a train.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/there-s-a-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-and-it-s-a-train/) [Margaret Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) [Explore all 15 Margaret Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/) ## More Mary quotes > [My dream is to produce thousand Mary Koms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kom/my-dream-is-to-produce-thousand-mary-koms/) [Mary Kom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kom/) > [I was very engaged by the folk music movement.Bob Dylan; Joan Baez; Peter, Paul and Mary. And then I sort of discovered world music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/i-was-very-engaged-by-the-folk-music-movement-bob-dylan-joan-baez/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [I got Mary pregnant and man that's all she wrote. And for my 19th birthday, I got a union card and a factory coat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-got-mary-pregnant-and-man-that-s-all-she-wrote-and-for-my-19th/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [If I could ever be on a Missy Elliott record, I could then die. Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige - I love hearing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neko-case/if-i-could-ever-be-on-a-missy-elliott-record-i-could-then-die-missy/) [Neko Case](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neko-case/) > [“He had despised that Mary with her idiot smile, symbol of a story that meant nothing, servant of a God who no good to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-hill/he-had-despised-that-mary-with-her-idiot-smile-symbol-of-a-story-that/) [Joe Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-hill/) > [Guys standing around and talking about Spanish fly: 'You know anything about Spanish fly?' 'No, tell me about it.' Well there's this girl Crazy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/guys-standing-around-and-talking-about-spanish-fly-you-know-anything/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [I keep all my clothes on in House on Haunted Hill, Mary Jane's Last Dance, and The Way of the Gun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taye-diggs/i-keep-all-my-clothes-on-in-house-on-haunted-hill-mary-jane-s-last/) [Taye Diggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taye-diggs/) > [I entrust this Twenty-second World Day of the Sick to the intercession of Mary. I ask her to help the sick to bear their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-entrust-this-twenty-second-world-day-of-the-sick-to-the/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Maybe it's coming from Mary but I've seen her since morning already. So it's not her...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-isaacs/maybe-it-s-coming-from-mary-but-i-ve-seen-her-since-morning-already/) [Gregory Isaacs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-isaacs/) > [One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/one-response-was-given-by-the-innkeeper-when-mary-and-joseph-wanted/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [ I've always been a fan of \[Mary Elizabeth Winstead's\]. She gets to do some fun action-y stuff she brings this gritty swashbuckle to. I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-trachtenberg/i-ve-always-been-a-fan-of-mary-elizabeth-winstead-s-she-gets-to-do/) [Dan Trachtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-trachtenberg/) > [Dead men tell no tales, Mary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dead-men-tell-no-tales-mary/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I only wanted Uncle Vernon standing by his own car (a Hudson) on a clear day, I got him and the car. Ialso got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-friedlander/i-only-wanted-uncle-vernon-standing-by-his-own-car-a-hudson-on-a/) [Lee Friedlander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-friedlander/) > [“I will always need you," I whisper. "All of this time I've waited for you. And you were never coming for me. Why did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-ryan/i-will-always-need-you-i-whisper-all-of-this-time-i-ve-waited-for-you/) [Carrie Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-ryan/) > [I'm in love with mary jane. she's my main thing. she makes me feel alright. she makes my heart sing. and when I'm feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-james/i-m-in-love-with-mary-jane-she-s-my-main-thing-she-makes-me-feel/) [Rick James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-james/) Browse all 1,042 Mary quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I had been the Virgin Mary, I would have said \"No.\"", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Margaret Smith" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/if-i-had-been-the-virgin-mary-i-would-have-said-no/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Mary" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/if-i-had-been-the-virgin-mary-i-would-have-said-no/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/margaret-smith-33490_mary_if-i-had-been-the-virgin-mary-i-would-ha_1184190.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/margaret-smith-33490_mary_if-i-had-been-the-virgin-mary-i-would-ha_1184190.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/margaret-smith-33490_mary_if-i-had-been-the-virgin-mary-i-would-ha_1184190.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If I had been the Virgin Mary, I would have said \"No.\"” — Margaret Smith", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Margaret Smith", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-smith/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If I had been the Virgin...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/if-i-had-been-the-virgin-mary-i-would-have-said-no/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-smith/if-i-had-been-the-virgin-mary-i-would-have-said-no/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```