Civility Quote by Jane Austen
![“Words were insufficient for the elevation of his [Mr Collins'] feelings; and he was obliged to walk about the room, while Elizabeth tried to unite civility and truth in a few short sentences.” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/40c/jane-austen-39_civility_words-were-insufficient-for-the-elevatio_1661754.jpg)
““Words were insufficient for the elevation of his [Mr Collins'] feelings; and he was obliged to walk about the room, while Elizabeth tried to unite civility and truth in a few short sentences.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Pride and Prejudice, 1813
Elizabeth struggles to convey her true feelings, resorting to brief, polite statements when words fail.
In simple terms: She uses short, polite sentences because she cannot fully express herself.
Key Takeaway
Choose honesty over politeness when needed.
Themes
communication
emotion
social norms
Mood
anxious
hopeful
Type
literary
dialogue
When to use this quote
- courtship
- family gatherings
- personal conflict
Key Concepts
self‑censorship
gender expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance civility with truth?
- When should we speak more openly?
A Different Perspective
Politeness may mask deeper emotions, limiting understanding.
![“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)
![“[T]he politically correct are above the rules of ordinary civility, once they have identified you as an unbeliever in their religion.” quote by Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/abd/orson-scott-card-134_civility_t-he-politically-correct-are-above-the-r_75276.jpg)
