---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A submissive spirit might be patient, a…"
description: "\"A submissive spirit might be patient, a strong understanding would supply resolution, but here was something more; here was that elasticity of mind, th..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/jane-austen-39_be-patient_a-submissive-spirit-might-be-patient-a-s_2792492.jpg"
---

#  A submissive spirit might be patient, a strong…

![“A submissive spirit might be patient, a strong understanding would supply resolution, but here was something more; here was that elasticity of mind, that disposition to be comforted, that power of turning readily from evil to good, and of finding employment which carried her out of herself, which…” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/jane-austen-39_be-patient_a-submissive-spirit-might-be-patient-a-s_2792492.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/jane-austen-39_be-patient_a-submissive-spirit-might-be-patient-a-s_2792492.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/jane-austen-39_be-patient_a-submissive-spirit-might-be-patient-a-s_2792492.jpg)

> “A submissive spirit might be patient, a strong understanding would supply resolution, but here was something more; here was that elasticity of mind, that disposition to be comforted, that power of turning readily from evil to good, and of finding employment which carried her out of herself, which was from nature alone. It was the choicest gift of Heaven; and Anne viewed her friend as one of those instances in which, by a merciful appointment, it seems designed to counterbalance almost every other want.”

[Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A flexible, compassionate mind can transform hardship into growth and find purpose beyond self‑interest.

**In simple terms:** A kind, adaptable mind turns challenges into good.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate mental elasticity and empathy.

Themes

compassion growth resilience

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal crises
- career setbacks
- relationship conflicts
- moral dilemmas

Key Concepts

human nature psychology ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance empathy with self‑preservation?
- When does flexibility become lack of conviction?

A Different Perspective

May overlook practical constraints or lead to over‑accommodation.

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[Anne Viewed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anne-viewed-3390083/) [Be patient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-patient/) [Disposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposition/) [Disposition Comforted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposition-comforted-3390081/) [Employment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/employment/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Findings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/findings/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instance/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Merciful Appointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/merciful-appointment-3390084/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Patient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patient/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Readily Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/readily-evil-3390085/) [Resolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolution/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Submissive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/submissive/) [Submissive Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/submissive-spirit-3390082/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/)

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