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
Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride - where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Vanity is a flaw, but true pride can be a sign of strength when kept in check.
In this quote, Jane Austen reflects on the nature of vanity and pride. While she considers vanity to be a weakness, she argues that pride can be a positive trait if it stems from genuine superiority of intellect or character, suggesting that true pride can be cultivated and regulated to foster personal dignity and respect.
Themes
VanityPrideStrengthHumilityCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about self-awareness and personal growth.
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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