Affection Quote by Jane Austen
““There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all BEGIN freely--a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten a women had better show MORE affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Pride and Prejudice, 1813
Attachment often mixes gratitude and vanity, making pure love rare without mutual encouragement; people tend to show more affection than they truly feel.
In simple terms: Love is mixed with pride; true love needs encouragement.
Key Takeaway
Seek genuine connection, not just displayed affection.
Themes
love
pride
social expectations
gender roles
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
romantic
Type
literary
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- courtship
- marriage negotiations
- friendship dynamics
- self‑reflection on affection
Key Concepts
vanity
gratitude
authenticity
emotional labor
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you express affection beyond what you feel?
- How does societal expectation shape your relationships?
A Different Perspective
True love may be limited by self‑interest and societal pressure.
![“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)
