Contempt Quote by Jane Austen
““I heard you before, but I could not immediately determine what to say in reply. You wanted me, I know, to say 'Yes,' that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste; but I always delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes, and cheating a person of their premeditated contempt.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Pride and Prejudice, 1813
The speaker resists giving a simple affirmative, preferring to subvert expectations and challenge contempt.
In simple terms: She avoids saying yes to defy disdain.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions before agreeing.
Themes
communication
defiance
social dynamics
Mood
thoughtful
defensive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
assertiveness
confrontation
interpersonal conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it better to comply?
- What are the risks of challenging contempt?
A Different Perspective
It may provoke unnecessary conflict.
![“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)
![“Every person of any rank in the left, from voter on up to cabinet member to elected official in the Democrat Party, has contempt. We [Republicans] are the number one enemy. And they will put aside whatever differences they have.” quote by Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08a/rush-limbaugh-28_cabinets_every-person-of-any-rank-in-the-left-fro_29974.jpg){kind=icon}