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
We neither of us perform to strangers.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote implies that true authenticity is revealed only in the presence of those we know well.
In this quote, Jane Austen highlights the notion that individuals tend to show a different side of themselves to those they do not know intimately. It suggests that our true selves are often hidden from strangers and can only be expressed in comfortable, familiar relationships where there is trust and understanding.
Themes
AuthenticityRelationshipsTrustIntimacyFriendship
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of close relationships, citing this quote would emphasize the value of authenticity.
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.
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