Marie Stopes Quotes

Powerful Marie Stopes for Daily Growth

About Marie Stopes

Marie Carmichael Stopes, born on October 15, 1880, in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, was a pioneering British feminist, palaeobotanist, and birth control activist whose work significantly impacted the sexual education and reproductive rights movements. Marie's intellectual pursuits were nurtured at Bishop's College, Barking, where she excelled in natural sciences, particularly paleontology. She went on to study at University College London, becoming one of the first British women to earn a higher degree in science. In 1906, Marie married George Stopes, a fellow scientist and romantic poet, with whom she collaborated on several papers in geology. However, their marriage was fraught with difficulties due to their differing views on marriage and sexuality. This tension influenced Marie's later work on birth control and sex education. Marie's life took a new direction in 1918 when she published 'Married Love', which became an international bestseller. The book, written to educate couples about sexual satisfaction and family planning, was groundbreaking for its time. It advocated that contraception could lead to marital happiness and improved health. The following year, Marie established the Family Planning Clinic in London, which offered sexual health advice and contraceptive services. This clinic later evolved into what is now known as Marie Stopes International, a global organization providing reproductive healthcare services. Marie Stopes's legacy continues to influence discussions around sexual health, education, and women's rights. Her quotes, such as "Every child born brings its mother nearer death," emphasize the importance of birth control in improving maternal health. Despite her controversial methods and opinions, Marie Stopes remains a significant figure in the history of sexuality and reproductive health.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Each child that is unwanted is a public charge, a social disintegration, an individual misfit."

The quote by Marie Stopes emphasizes the detrimental impact of unplanned or unwanted children on society as well as individuals. By suggesting that each such child is a "public charge" and a "social disintegration," she highlights their potential financial burden on public resources, and negative influence on the social fabric. The phrase "an individual misfit" underscores the emotional and psychological difficulties these children may face in forming meaningful connections with others and finding their place in society. In essence, her words serve as a call to prioritize family planning and birth control measures to ensure that every child is wanted, supported, and able to thrive.


"No woman can call herself free until she can choose a partner when to marry and for how long."

This quote by Marie Stopes emphasizes the importance of women's autonomy and personal freedom in matters related to marriage, specifically in choosing when to get married and for how long. It suggests that true emancipation for women cannot be achieved unless they are given the power to make decisions about their relationships, including choosing a partner and setting the duration of their marriage. This perspective underscores the need for gender equality and equal rights in personal life choices as a cornerstone of female empowerment.


"The power and purity of mother love is the supreme expression of the Divine Motherhood that dwells in the soul of every woman, the same love that moves the suns and rolls the seas."

This quote by Marie Stopes emphasizes the profound connection between women and the universal, nurturing, and creative force often personified as the Divine Mother. By likening motherly love to the celestial forces of the universe, she highlights its immense power, purity, and far-reaching influence, suggesting that it is a fundamental aspect of female identity and human experience. The quote underscores the profound impact and importance of maternal love in both personal and cosmic terms, positing that this love is an integral part of women's spiritual essence.


"If a mother cannot love her child, she should place it for adoption."

This quote by Marie Stopes emphasizes the importance of maternal love in child-rearing. She suggests that if a woman is unable to provide this essential emotional support, it may be beneficial for both the mother and the child if the child is adopted by another family who can fulfill this role. The quote implies that loving care and attachment are crucial for a child's well-being and development, and if a mother cannot provide it, she should consider placing her child with someone who can.


"Every child born brings with it the hope of the past forgotten, the chance to begin life over again, to remake the world anew."

This quote by Marie Stopes suggests that each newborn child presents a fresh opportunity for humanity, a chance to learn from past mistakes and strive for a better future. It implies that every child born has the potential to make positive changes in the world and create a new, improved version of society. Essentially, it's saying that with each new generation comes hope and the possibility for progress.


You can take no credit for beauty at sixteen. But if you are beautiful at sixty, it will be your soul's own doing.

- Marie Stopes

Beauty, Doing, Sixty, Sixteen

Each coming together of man and wife, even if they have been mated for many years, should be a fresh adventure; each winning should necessitate a fresh wooing.

- Marie Stopes

Wife, Winning, Been, Wooing

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