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
Here and there, human nature may be great in times of trial, but generally speaking it is its weakness and not its strength that appears in a sick chamber; it is selfishness and impatience rather than generosity and fortitude, that one hears of. There is so little real friendship in the world! – and unfortunately' (speaking low and tremulously) 'there are so many who forget to think seriously till it is almost too late.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the weaknesses of human nature, especially in difficult times, and the scarcity of true friendship.
In this quote, Jane Austen observes that during challenging circumstances, such as illness, human nature often reveals its frailties—selfishness and impatience take precedence over generosity and strength. She expresses a lament over the lack of genuine friendship in the world, emphasizing that many people fail to appreciate its importance until they face critical moments in life.
Themes
Human NatureFriendshipSelfishnessTrialStrengthGenerosity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of friendship during tough times.
More from Jane Austen
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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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...he will be our friend for always and always and always.
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When you are not feeling particularly friendly but know you ought to be, the best thing you can do, very often, is to put on a friendly manner and behave as if you were a nicer person than you actually are. And in a few minutes, as we have all noticed, you will be really feeling friendlier than you were.
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