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
I frequently observe that one pretty face would be followed by five and thirty frights.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Attractiveness can often overshadow deeper qualities, revealing an imbalance in how we perceive beauty.
In this quote, Jane Austen reflects on the societal tendency to be captivated by physical beauty, suggesting that while one attractive individual may catch our attention, they are often surrounded by many who do not possess the same appeal. This observation highlights a superficiality in attraction, where a single beautiful face can starkly contrast with others perceived as less attractive, prompting a consideration of the deeper attributes that define true worth beyond appearances.
Themes
BeautyAttractionUglinessPerceptionSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about societal standards of beauty and how they affect self-esteem.
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.
Jane AustenRead
He certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.
Jane AustenRead
A person who is knowingly bent on bad behavior, gets upset when better behavior is expected of them.
Jane AustenRead
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.
Jane AustenRead
She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! Alas! She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
Jane AustenRead
Similar quotes
He took the bride about the neck and kissed her lips with such a clamorous smack that at the parting all the church did echo.
William ShakespeareRead
True happiness is found in unselfish Love, A love which increases in proportion as it is shared.
Thomas MertonRead
Only through loving and supporting one another, even in the face of unbearable pain and suffering, will this cycle of violence end.
Mandy PatinkinRead
You can’t replace people you love with other people…But you can trust that you’re not going to run out of people to love.
Barbara KingsolverRead
Love in my heart is a cry forever Lost as the swallow's flight, Seeking for you and never, never Stilled by the stars at night
Sara TeasdaleRead
When we ask for love, we don't ask others to be fair to us-but rather to care for us, to be considerate of us. There is a world of difference here between demanding justice... and begging or pleading for love.
Mortimer AdlerRead