Declined Quote by Jane Austen
““He was directly invited to join their party, but he declined it, observing that he could imagine but two motives for their choosing to walk up and down the room together, with either of which motives his joining them would interfere. "What could he mean? She was dying to know what could be his meaning?"--and asked Elizabeth whether she could at all understand him? "Not at all," was her answer; "but depend upon it, he means to be severe on us, and our surest way of disappointing him will be to ask nothing about it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Persuasion by Jane Austen, 1817
He declines an invitation because he suspects hidden motives, and he intends to be harsh, so any inquiry would disappoint him.
In simple terms: He refuses and wants to be severe, avoiding questions.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when silence hides intent.
Themes
social dynamics
motivation
communication
Mood
cautious
tense
Type
literary
dialogue
When to use this quote
- courtship
- political intrigue
- personal boundaries
Key Concepts
psychology
intentionality
Questions to Reflect On
- What motives might he be protecting?
- How does avoiding questions affect relationships?
A Different Perspective
His secrecy may breed mistrust if not addressed.
![“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)
