Jealousy Quote by P.D. James
““Neighbors whose jealousy of such a triumph exceeded any satisfaction in the prospect of the union were able to console themselves by averring that Mr Darcy's pride and his wife's caustic wit would ensure that they lived together in the utmost misery for which even Pemberley and ten thousand a year could offer no consolation.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, 1926
Envious neighbors rationalize their misery by attributing it to the couple's pride and wit, suggesting that wealth cannot guarantee happiness.
In simple terms: Jealousy leads to bitter rationalizations.
Key Takeaway
Recognize envy’s distortion of reality.
Themes
social envy
marital dynamics
wealth vs. happiness
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
literary
observational
When to use this quote
- high‑society gatherings
- family reunions
- inheritance disputes
Key Concepts
psychology of jealousy
social comparison
marital conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- What healthier ways can envy be addressed?
- How do pride and wit affect relationships?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes wealth cannot alleviate emotional pain.
![“... [In 'Pride and Prejudice'] Mr Collins's repulsiveness in his letter [about Lydia's elopement] does not exist only at the level of the sentence: it permeates all aspects of his rhetoric. Austen's point is that the well-formed sentence belongs to a self-enclosed mind, incapable of sympathetic…” quote by Andrew Elfenbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6cd/andrew-elfenbein-61722_closed-mind_in-pride-and-prejudice-mr-collins-s-repu_2489107.jpg)
