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
A person who is knowingly bent on bad behavior, gets upset when better behavior is expected of them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People who choose to act poorly often feel frustrated when others expect more from them.
This quote by Jane Austen reflects the idea that individuals who engage in wrong or harmful actions may become defensive or upset when confronted with higher standards of behavior. It highlights a common human reaction to the pressure of expectations, suggesting that some people may resist change or improvement even when it is clearly warranted.
Themes
BehaviorExpectationsDefensivenessStandardsPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about character improvement, one might reference this quote to illustrate why people resist positive change.
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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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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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.
Jane AustenRead
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