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 safety in reserve, but no attraction. One cannot love a reserved person.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Being overly reserved may provide safety, but it hinders genuine attraction and love.
In this quote, Jane Austen suggests that while being reserved can protect one from emotional risks, it also creates barriers to deep connections and love. A reserved nature can prevent individuals from expressing their true selves, making it difficult for others to feel drawn to them emotionally, leading to shallow relationships devoid of passion and intimacy.
Themes
SafetyReserveLoveAttractionEmotions
In practice
Example use cases
During a relationship workshop, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of vulnerability.
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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