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
She was without any power, because she was without any desire of command over herself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that lacking personal desires and ambitions can lead to a feeling of powerlessness.
In this quote, Jane Austen explores the theme of personal agency and the connection between desire and power. It implies that individuals who do not seek to take control or assert their will over their lives may find themselves feeling powerless, as they lack the motivation and drive that desires provide. Through this idea, Austen addresses the importance of self-determination and the role of personal aspirations in achieving a sense of empowerment.
Themes
PowerlessnessDesireControlPersonal AgencySelf-Determination
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth and ambition.
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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