Esteemed Accomplished Quote by Jane Austen
““Oh! certainly," cried his faithful assistant, "no one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half-deserved." "All this she must possess," added Darcy, "and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Pride and Prejudice, 1813
Society expects women to master many arts and possess an elusive charm, yet true worth lies in intellectual growth through reading.
In simple terms: Women are judged on talents and charm, but learning is essential.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate knowledge beyond superficial skills.
Themes
gender expectations
education
social status
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- courtship
- social gatherings
- personal development
- career advancement
Key Concepts
feminist critique
self‑improvement
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance cultural expectations with personal growth?
- What does “something more substantial” mean today?
A Different Perspective
Superficial talents may mask lack of depth.
![“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)
