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
There is a monsterous deal of stupid quizzing, & common-place nonsense talked, but scarcely any wit.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A critique of the mundane conversations that lack intelligence and humor.
In this quote, Jane Austen expresses her frustration with the prevalence of trivial and dull dialogues in society, suggesting that while people engage in a lot of questioning and banter, true wit and cleverness are surprisingly rare. This highlights the contrast between superficial communication and meaningful, insightful exchange.
Themes
HumorWitSocietyCommunicationConversation
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a speech on the importance of meaningful conversations at a social gathering.
More from Jane Austen
All quotes βNobody 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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