Dear mother Quote by Jane Austen
““She played a great deal better than either of the Miss Musgroves; but having no voice, no knowledge of the harp, and no fond parents to sit by and fancy themselves delighted, her performance was little thought of, only out of civility, or to refresh the others, as she was well aware. She knew that when she played she was giving pleasure only to herself; but this was no new sensation: excepting one short period of her life, she had never, since the age of fourteen, never since the loss of her dear mother, know the happiness of being listened to, or encouraged by any just appreciation or real taste. In music she had been always used to feel alone in the world; and Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove's fond partiality for their own daughters' performance, and total indifference to any other person's, gave her much more pleasure for their sakes, than mortification for her own.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Emma by Jane Austen, 1815
She finds personal joy in playing music despite lack of recognition, highlighting inner fulfillment over external validation.
In simple terms: She plays for herself, not others.
Key Takeaway
Value internal satisfaction over applause.
Themes
self‑fulfillment
artistic integrity
loneliness
recognition
Mood
introspective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- private practice
- solo performances
- creative work
Key Concepts
personal agency
artistic expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you find joy in solitary pursuits?
- When have you felt unseen?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the pain of being unheard.
![“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)
