---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion…"
description: "\"If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that it was to persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk. When I yielded, I thought..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6a/jane-austen-39_aids_if-i-was-wrong-in-yielding-to-persuasion_2174839.jpg"
---

#  If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember…

![“If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that it was to persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk. When I yielded, I thought it was to duty; but no duty could be called in aid here. In marrying a man indifferent to me, all risk would have been incurred and all duty…” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6a/jane-austen-39_aids_if-i-was-wrong-in-yielding-to-persuasion_2174839.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6a/jane-austen-39_aids_if-i-was-wrong-in-yielding-to-persuasion_2174839.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6a/jane-austen-39_aids_if-i-was-wrong-in-yielding-to-persuasion_2174839.jpg)

> “If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that it was to persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk. When I yielded, I thought it was to duty; but no duty could be called in aid here. In marrying a man indifferent to me, all risk would have been incurred and all duty violated.”

[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.

Yielding to persuasion can be justified when it protects safety, not when it compromises personal duty or values.

**In simple terms:** Sometimes you obey to stay safe, not because it’s right.

Key Takeaway

Weigh safety against personal integrity before complying.

Themes

safety duty persuasion personal integrity

Mood

reflective cautious

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- making a marriage decision
- accepting a risky offer
- standing up to authority

Key Concepts

moral calculus self‑preservation social pressure

Questions to Reflect On

- When does safety become an excuse?
- What duties are non‑negotiable?

A Different Perspective

The notion of “safety” can mask selfish motives.

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