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.
If you will thank me '' he replied let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on I shall not attempt to deny. But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them I believe I thought only of you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of selflessness in love and the notion that true affection seeks happiness for the beloved rather than for recognition.
In this quote, Jane Austen reflects on the nature of love and personal sacrifice. The speaker acknowledges that their motivations for giving happiness stem from a desire for the other's well-being, but they clarify that any gratitude should be directed towards oneself, as it is the recipient's happiness that matters most. This highlights the idea that true affection is not self-serving, and love is best expressed as an act of giving without the expectation of return or debt.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a wedding toast to highlight the importance of love and selflessness in a marriage.
More from Jane Austen
All quotes →Nobody 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.
He certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.
A person who is knowingly bent on bad behavior, gets upset when better behavior is expected of them.
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.
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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Live in the wisdom of accepted tenderness. Tenderness awakens within the security of knowing we are thoroughly and sincerely liked by someone... Scripture suggests that the essence of the divine nature is compassion and that the heart of God is defined by tenderness.
You are the Essence of the Essence, The intoxication of Love. I long to sing Your Praises but stand mute with the agony of wishing in my heart !
My mother is not a model. She is not perfect. That awareness is part of learning to love someone. Predicting the actions of someone is an act of love. We persist, even when we get it wrong. That's the beauty of love.
No. No games. He wanted her and didn't care who knew it. He definitely and absolutely wanted her, longed for her, wanted to do more things than there were names for with her.
He is ugly and sad, but he is all love.
Well, it's a marvelous night for a Moondance_x000D_ _x000D_ With the stars up above in your eyes..._x000D_ _x000D_ And I'm trying to please to the calling_x000D_ _x000D_ Of your heart-strings that they play soft and low_x000D_ _x000D_ And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush_x000D_ _x000D_ And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush..._x000D_ _x000D_ One more Moondance with you in the moonlight_x000D_ _x000D_ On a magic night