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
...I will not allow books to prove any thing." "But how shall we prove any thing?" "We never shall.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the limitations of books in proving truths or realities.
In this exchange, Jane Austen highlights the inherent uncertainty of knowledge and truth, suggesting that books, while valuable, cannot conclusively establish facts or meanings. It reflects a philosophical perspective on the nature of understanding and the subjective interpretation of information.
Themes
KnowledgeTruthBooksPhilosophyUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a book club discussion to reflect on the subjective nature of literary interpretation.
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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