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
Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True humility involves genuine modesty, not just a lack of opinion.
In this quote, Jane Austen highlights the deceptive nature of superficial humility. She suggests that what may seem like a humble disposition can often be a result of indifference or lack of care, while at times, it may even reveal a hidden arrogance. Thus, true humility is more profound and requires conscious self-awareness and modesty.
Themes
HumilityDeceitModestyPrideOpinion
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about personal growth to emphasize the importance of self-awareness.
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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