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 might as well enquire,” replied she, “why with so evident a design of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the complexity of emotions and the inherent contradictions in expressing feelings.
In this quote, Jane Austen examines the conflict between genuine feelings and the struggle to express them appropriately. The speaker is questioning the reasoning behind a confession of affection that seems to contradict the other person's character and intentions, illustrating the intricate dynamics often present in romantic relationships where attraction conflicts with personal principles or societal expectations.
Themes
RelationshipsFeelingsContradictionsLoveConflict
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the challenges of modern dating, this quote illustrates how contradictory feelings can complicate relationships.
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.
Jane AustenRead
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