"It is a farce to call any being virtuous whose virtues do not result from the exercise of it's own reason"

This quote by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley suggests that real virtue is only achievable through using one's own reason. She implies that any virtue that is not the outcome of a person's own idea and decision-making is not authentic. This suggests that any virtue that is imposed upon a private by external forces, such as society or religious beliefs, is not real virtue. Shelley is recommending that true virtue is only possible when an individual is able to think for themselves and make choices based on their own thinking. This quote encourages individuals to believe on their own and make choices based upon their own moral compass, rather than depending on external forces to determine their behavior. Ultimately, Shelley is recommending that true virtue is just attainable when a person is able to think on their own and make decisions based on their own thinking.