Philip Sidney on Women
d. 1586 England
← All quotes by Philip Sidney
7 quotes
A fair woman shall not only command without authority but persuade without speaking.
The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia (1580)
She is not worthy to be loved, that hath not some feeling of her own worthiness.
It is against womanhood, to be forward in their own wishes.
She is herself of best things the collection.
Woman was formed to admire, man to be admirable. His are the glories of the sun at noon-day; hers the softened splendour of the midnight moon.
Porter (1807)
Our poor eyes were so enriched as to behold, and our low hearts so exalted as to love, a maid who is such, that as the greatest thing the world can show is her beauty, so the least thing that may be praised in her is her beauty.
All the cost bestowed did not so much enrich, nor all the fine decking so much beautify, nor all the dainty devices so much delight, as the fairness of Parthenia, the pearl of all the maids of Mantinea, who, as she went to the temple to be married, her eyes themselves seemed a temple wherein love and beauty were married.