"In fact, it is a farce to call any being virtuous whose virtues do not result from the exercise of its own reason"

This quote by Mary Wollstonecraft is highlighting the relevance of reason in developing one's own merits. She is suggesting that it is insufficient to just be virtuous, however that a person have to actively utilize their own factor to cultivate their own virtues. This suggests that merits are not something that can be passively obtained, but instead something that needs to be proactively gone after. Wollstonecraft is recommending that it is insufficient to just be virtuous, yet that one need to actively use their own factor to grow their very own merits. This implies that merits are not something that can be passively obtained, however instead something that needs to be proactively gone after. By stressing the importance of reason in establishing one's very own virtues, Wollstonecraft is recommending that it is inadequate to just be virtuous, but that a person must actively utilize their very own reason to cultivate their very own virtues. This quote is a reminder that it is not enough to just be virtuous, however that one need to actively use their very own factor to grow their very own virtues in order to really be virtuous.