Books Quote by Jane Austen
““A sermon, well delivered, is more uncommon even than prayers well read. A sermon, good in itself, is no rare thing. It is more difficult to speak well than to compose well; that is, the rules and trick of composition are oftener an object of study. A thoroughly good sermon, thoroughly well delivered, is a capital gratification. I can never hear such a one without the greatest admiration and respect, and, more than half a mind to take orders and preach myself. There is something in the eloquence of the pulpit, when it is really eloquence, which is entitled to the highest praise and honour. The preacher who can touch and affect such an heterogeneous mass of hearers on subjects limited, and long worn thread-bare in all common hands; who can say anything new or striking, any thing that rouses the attention, without offending the taste, or wearing out the feelings of his hearers, is a man whom one could not (in his public capacity) honour enough.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Thoughts on Preaching, attributed to Jane Austen, early 19th century
A well‑delivered sermon is rarer and more valuable than a well‑written one; true eloquence in preaching requires skill, originality, and respect for the audience.
In simple terms: Great sermons are hard to deliver and highly prized.
Key Takeaway
Strive for clear, original, and respectful communication.
Themes
communication
eloquence
public speaking
respect
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
oratory
philosophical
When to use this quote
- church services
- public lectures
- teaching
- leadership meetings
Key Concepts
rhetoric
audience engagement
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a speech resonate with diverse listeners?
- How can you balance originality with audience expectations?
A Different Perspective
Even skilled speakers can fail without audience connection.
![“Everybody is taken in at some period or another. [...] In marriage especially. [...] There is not one in a hundred of either sex, who is not taken in when they marry. Look where I will, I see that it is so; and I feel that it must be so, when I consider that it is, of all transactions, the one in…” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/37a/jane-austen-39_marriage_everybody-is-taken-in-at-some-period-or_7175.jpg)
