Life Quote by Jane Austen
“I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: “Emma,” 1815 (paraphrased)
Self‑interest often masks deeper altruism, revealing contradictions in personal behavior.
In simple terms: Selfishness can hide behind good intentions.
Key Takeaway
Reflect on true motivations.
Themes
human nature
self‑deception
morality
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- literary study
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
character analysis
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions reveal your authentic values?
- How do you reconcile conflicting motives?
A Different Perspective
People may act selfishly despite noble ideals.
![“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)
