I pay very little regard...to what any young person says on the subject of marriage. If they profess a disinclination for it, I only set it down that they have not yet seen the right person.
Jane AustenRead
To look almost pretty is an acquisition of higher delight to a girl who has been looking plain for the first fifteen years of her life than a beauty from her cradle can ever receive.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Achieving beauty after a period of feeling plain brings more joy than being beautiful from birth.
Jane Austen's quote reflects the idea that the experience of gaining beauty, especially after feeling unattractive for a significant period, can provide a deeper sense of fulfillment than those who have always been considered beautiful. This speaks to the value of personal growth and the delight in a newfound appreciation of oneself.
Themes
BeautyDelightSelf-EsteemGrowthAppreciation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about self-acceptance and personal development.
More from Jane Austen
All quotes →Nobody could catch cold by the sea; nobody wanted appetite by the sea; nobody wanted spirits; nobody wanted strength. Sea air was healing, softening, relaxing - fortifying and bracing - seemingly just as was wanted - sometimes one, sometimes the other. If the sea breeze failed, the seabath was the certain corrective; and where bathing disagreed, the sea air alone was evidently designed by nature for the cure.
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He certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.
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You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever.
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She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! Alas! She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
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