---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever…"
description: "\"“And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so decided a dislike to him, without any reason. It is such a spur to one's genius, such an opening ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/jane-austen-39_quote_and-yet-i-meant-to-be-uncommonly-clever_1387946.jpg"
---

#  And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so…

![“And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so decided a dislike to him, without any reason. It is such a spur to one's genius, such an opening for wit, to have a dislike of that kind. One may be continually abusive without saying anything just; but one cannot always be laughing at a man…” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/jane-austen-39_quote_and-yet-i-meant-to-be-uncommonly-clever_1387946.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/jane-austen-39_quote_and-yet-i-meant-to-be-uncommonly-clever_1387946.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/jane-austen-39_quote_and-yet-i-meant-to-be-uncommonly-clever_1387946.jpg)

> ““And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so decided a dislike to him, without any reason. It is such a spur to one's genius, such an opening for wit, to have a dislike of that kind. One may be continually abusive without saying anything just; but one cannot always be laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.””

[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.

Harboring a deliberate dislike can sharpen wit, providing material for clever remarks, though it risks becoming hostile.

**In simple terms:** Dislike can fuel wit but may become hostile.

Key Takeaway

Use criticism constructively, not destructively.

Themes

wit creativity relationships

Mood

playful critical

Type

literary observational

When to use this quote

- writing
- debates
- personal conflicts

Key Concepts

psychology social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- Can you channel negative feelings into humor without harm?
- When does satire become cruelty?

A Different Perspective

Dislike may breed bitterness, limiting genuine connection.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Witty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witty/)

## Related quotes

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> [What I love about the East End is that there's a great perseverance, determination and courage. What I dislike about it is that there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-marsan/what-i-love-about-the-east-end-is-that-there-s-a-great-perseverance/)

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[Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/)

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## More Dislike quotes

> [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/)

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