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
Not very good, I am afraid. But now really, do not you think Udolpho the nicest book in the world?" "The nicest—by which I suppose you mean the neatest. That must depend upon the binding.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote showcases a playful discussion about the subjective nature of book appreciation.
In this quote from Jane Austen, the characters engage in a light-hearted conversation about the value of a book, with one person questioning its quality, while the other humorously interprets 'nicest' as a comment on its physical appearance rather than its content. This exchange highlights the subjective nature of taste in literature and how people may prioritize different attributes when discussing books.
Themes
BooksLiteratureSubjectivityAppreciationDiscussion
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote at a literary discussion group to highlight differing opinions on books.
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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A person who is knowingly bent on bad behavior, gets upset when better behavior is expected of them.
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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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