Skip to content

Beauty Quote by Charlotte Brontë

“I sought her eye, desirous to read there the intelligence which I could not discern in her face or hear in her conversation; it was merry, rather small; by turns I saw vivacity, vanity, coquetry, look out through its irid, but I watched in vain for a glimpse of soul. I am no Oriental; white necks…” quote by Charlotte Brontë
Download Open image
““I sought her eye, desirous to read there the intelligence which I could not discern in her face or hear in her conversation; it was merry, rather small; by turns I saw vivacity, vanity, coquetry, look out through its irid, but I watched in vain for a glimpse of soul. I am no Oriental; white necks, carmine lips and cheeks, clusters of bright curls, do not suffice for me without that Promethean spark which will live after the roses and lilies are faded, the burnished hair grown grey. In sunshine, in prosperity, the flowers are very well; but how many wet days are there in life--November seasons of disaster, when a man's hearth and home would be cold indeed, without the clear, cheering gleam of intellect.””

Charlotte Brontë

About This Quote

Source Novel: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, 1847

The narrator longs for a deep, intellectual connection beyond superficial beauty, seeking a resilient spirit that endures hardship.

In simple terms: She wants inner brilliance, not just looks.

Key Takeaway

Value intellect over appearance.

Themes

love intellect appearance resilience

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • romantic relationships
  • career challenges
  • personal growth
  • adversity

Key Concepts

philosophical literary psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What qualities truly sustain a partnership?
  • How do we recognize inner strength?
A Different Perspective

Intellect alone may not sustain love in tough times.

3.9 out of 5 (3 ratings)

More by Charlotte Brontë

Explore all 1,083 Charlotte Brontë quotes

More Beauty quotes

Browse all 24,688 Beauty quotes