Thoughts on the Education of Daughters

As I conceive it to be the duty of every rational creature to attend to its offspring, I am sorry to observe, that reason and duty together have not so powerful an influence over human conduct, as instinct has in the brute creation. Indolence, and a thoughtless disregard of every thing, except the present indulgence, make many mothers, who may have momentary starts of tenderness, neglect their children. They follow a pleasing impulse, and never reflect that reason should cultivate and govern those instincts which are implanted in us to render the path of duty pleasant - for if they are not governed they will run wild; and strengthen the passions which are ever endeavouring to obtain dominion - I mean vanity and self-love.. - Taken from "Thoughts on the Education of Daughters" written by Mary Wollstonecraft