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 assure you. I have no notion of treating men with such respect. That is the way to spoil them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Respecting individuals too much can lead to them becoming spoiled.
In this quote, Jane Austen suggests that excessive respect or deference towards individuals can result in negative behavior, as it may enable them to grow complacent or entitled. Instead, she implies that a balance must be struck in how we treat others, with recognition that too much respect can undermine their character and behavior.
Themes
RespectTreatmentRelationshipsBehaviorEntitlement
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about leadership styles, one might quote this to highlight the importance of setting boundaries.
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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It sounds not only disagreeable but also paradoxical, yet it must nevertheless be said that anyone who is to be really free and happy in love must have surmounted his respect for women and have come to terms with the idea of incest with his mother or sister.
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