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.
Interpretation
Young people's opinions on marriage may be uninformed until they meet the right partner.
In this quote, Jane Austen expresses skepticism about the dismissal of marriage by young individuals. She suggests that their hesitation often stems from a lack of experience or exposure to the profound connection that can come with love, implying that encountering the right person can change one's view on marriage entirely.
In practice
During a discussion on the importance of relationships, one might use this quote to illustrate the evolving understanding of marriage.
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.
He certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.
A person who is knowingly bent on bad behavior, gets upset when better behavior is expected of them.
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.
She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! Alas! She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
Yes," replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, "but that was when I first knew her; for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.
Things were happening around us, but nothing was happening between us.
Marriage is like a three-speed gearbox - affection, friendship, love. It is not advisable to crash your gears and go right through to love straightaway. You need to ease your way through. The basis of love is respect, and that needs to be learned from affection and friendship.
Death ends a life, not a relationship.
I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife.
Each of us must be committed to maintaining the reputation of all of us. And all of us must be committed to maintaining the reputation of each of us.
People tend to criticize their spouse most loudly in the area where they themselves have the deepest emotional need.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.