Duty Quote by Mary Wollstonecraft
““The being who discharges the duties of its station, is independent; and, speaking of women at large, their first duty is to themselves as rational creatures, and the next, in point of importance, as citizens, is that, which includes so many, of a mother. The rank in life which dispenses with their fulfilling this duty, necessarily degrades them by making them mere dolls. Or, should they turn to something more important than merely fitting drapery upon a smooth block, their minds are only occupied by some soft platonic attachment; or, the actual management of an intrigue may keep their thoughts in motion; for when they neglect domestic duties, they have it not in their power to take the field and march and counter-march like soldiers, or wrangle in the senate to keep their faculties from rusting.””
About This Quote
Source Book: A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft, 1792
Women’s primary duty is self‑realization as rational beings, then civic participation; neglecting personal development reduces them to mere objects.
In simple terms: Women should first develop themselves, then serve society.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate personal rationality before external roles.
Themes
women’s rights
self‑realization
citizenship
Mood
empowering
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
historical
feminist
When to use this quote
- education
- political activism
- career development
Key Concepts
rational autonomy
social duty
gender equality
Questions to Reflect On
- What does self‑realization mean to you?
- How can society support women’s autonomy?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on duty can suppress personal freedom.
![“If children are to be educated to understand the true principle of patriotism, their mother must be a patriot [...]” quote by Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f78/mary-wollstonecraft-1568_children_if-children-are-to-be-educated-to-unders_78752.jpg)
![“I wish to show that elegance is inferior to virtue, that the first object of laudable ambition is to obtain a character as a human being, regardless of the distinction of sex [...]” quote by Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/445/mary-wollstonecraft-1568_ambition_i-wish-to-show-that-elegance-is-inferior_130145.jpg)
