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A man," said he, "must have a very good opinion of himself…

“A man," said he, "must have a very good opinion of himself when he asks people to leave their own fireside, and encounter such a day as this, for the sake of coming to see him. He must think himself a most agreeable fellow; I could not do such a thing. It is the greatest absurdity--Actually…” quote by Jane Austen
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““A man," said he, "must have a very good opinion of himself when he asks people to leave their own fireside, and encounter such a day as this, for the sake of coming to see him. He must think himself a most agreeable fellow; I could not do such a thing. It is the greatest absurdity--Actually snowing at this moment!--The folly of not allowing people to be comfortable at home--and the folly of people's not staying comfortably at home when they can!””

Jane Austen

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A host who forces guests away from comfort is absurd; people value staying in familiar, cozy settings rather than being displaced for a host's convenience.

In simple terms: Forcing guests out of comfort is unreasonable.

Key Takeaway

Respect others' comfort and avoid imposing unnecessary inconvenience.

Themes

hospitality comfort social norms convenience selfishness

Mood

reflective lighthearted

Type

literary social

When to use this quote

  • hosting events
  • family gatherings
  • travel accommodations
  • room sharing

Key Concepts

social etiquette personal boundaries human behavior

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is it ever justified to disrupt someone's comfort?
  • How can hosts balance hospitality with personal needs?
A Different Perspective

Sometimes hosts must act for safety or greater good, limiting comfort.

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