--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think you just complimented me,\" said…" description: "\"“I think you just complimented me,\" said Jane. \"You should take better care next time.\" The music had started, the couples had begun a promenade, but M..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/shannon-hale-827_compliment_i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-ja_1673513.png" --- # I think you just complimented me," said Jane. "You should… ![“I think you just complimented me," said Jane. "You should take better care next time." The music had started, the couples had begun a promenade, but Mr. Nobley paused to hold Jane's arm and whisper, "Jane Erstwhile, if I never had to speak with another human being but you, I would die a happy man…” quote by Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/shannon-hale-827_compliment_i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-ja_1673513.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/shannon-hale-827_compliment_i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-ja_1673513.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/shannon-hale-827_compliment_i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-ja_1673513.png) > ““I think you just complimented me," said Jane. "You should take better care next time." The music had started, the couples had begun a promenade, but Mr. Nobley paused to hold Jane's arm and whisper, "Jane Erstwhile, if I never had to speak with another human being but you, I would die a happy man. I would that these people, the music, the food and foolishness all disappeared and left us alone. I would never tire of looking at you or listening to you." He took a breath. "There. That compliment was on purpose. I swear I will never idly compliment you again." Jane's mouth was dry. All she could think to say was, "But... but surely you wouldn't banish all the food." He considered, then nodded once. "Right. We will keep the food. We will have a picnic." And he spun her into the middle of the dance.”” [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A lover declares devotion, offering to abandon all but the beloved, yet agrees to keep shared pleasures for balance. **In simple terms:** Love can be all‑consuming but still needs shared joy. Key Takeaway Cherish love while preserving shared experiences. Themes love devotion balance companionship Mood tender hopeful Type romantic dramatic When to use this quote - romantic confession - dance scene - picnic planning Key Concepts selflessness sacrifice shared joy Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance devotion with shared life? - What pleasures must you keep together? A Different Perspective May neglect practical needs for romance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compliment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compliment/) [Compliment Jane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compliment-jane-884149/) [Complimented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complimented/) [Complimented Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complimented-said-884150/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Happy man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-man/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Next time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next-time/) [Said Jane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-jane-884148/) ## Related quotes > [“What are you doing?” Ya!” said Jane, whirling around, her hands held up menacingly. It was Mr. Nobley with coat, hat, and cane, watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/what-are-you-doing-ya-said-jane-whirling-around-her-hands-held-up/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Compliment others on the virtues they have; and they're not half as pleased as being complimented for the ones they don't have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/compliment-others-on-the-virtues-they-have-and-they-re-not-half-as/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [“They were blessed, said Jane; they were going to give birth to themselves. It would be themselves they gave birth to, only better. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-coplin/they-were-blessed-said-jane-they-were-going-to-give-birth-to/) [Amanda Coplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-coplin/) > [“Hey, uh, you know. Um. If you’re alive, uh, call me." I looked at the screen and said, "It's Jane." I closed the phone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-hunter/hey-uh-you-know-um-if-you-re-alive-uh-call-me-i-looked-at-the-screen/) [Faith Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-hunter/) > [“you know,' said Jane, 'for a while there I thought we would be okay.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-baker/you-know-said-jane-for-a-while-there-i-thought-we-would-be-okay/) [Adam Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-baker/) > [“People said, "Jane, forget about this nonsense with Africa. Dream about things you can achieve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goodall/people-said-jane-forget-about-this-nonsense-with-africa-dream-about/) [Jane Goodall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goodall/) > [I was once doing a question and answer period with the novelist Jane Smiley in a bookstore and someone asked us what our processes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hirsch/i-was-once-doing-a-question-and-answer-period-with-the-novelist-jane/) [Edward Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hirsch/) > [“Really!” said the fat lady to Jane and Katharine and Martha, who were wedged tightly against her. “Stop shoving.” “I’m sorry, but we haven’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-eager/really-said-the-fat-lady-to-jane-and-katharine-and-martha-who-were/) [Edward Eager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-eager/) > [“One morning at the end of the two years, as I was writing a letter to his dictation, he came and bent over me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/one-morning-at-the-end-of-the-two-years-as-i-was-writing-a-letter-to/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“It was early in my career, and I had been seeing Mary, a shy, lonely, and physically collapsed young woman, for about three months in weekly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bessel-a-van-der-kolk/it-was-early-in-my-career-and-i-had-been-seeing-mary-a-shy-lonely-and/) [Bessel A. van der Kolk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bessel-a-van-der-kolk/) > [“I can't understand how she could have wanted to live back here, away from everything," said Jane. "Oh, I can easily understand that," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-m-montgomery/i-can-t-understand-how-she-could-have-wanted-to-live-back-here-away/) [L.M. Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-m-montgomery/) > [Montana and I had a chemistry that was unbelievable. When I first came into the league he told me I added five years to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-rice/montana-and-i-had-a-chemistry-that-was-unbelievable-when-i-first-came/) [Jerry Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-rice/) > [I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-have-been-complimented-many-times-and-they-always-embarrass-me-i/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [It undoubtedly feels nice when you are being appreciated and you get complimented by girls. Who doesn't like that? Having said that, I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virat-kohli/it-undoubtedly-feels-nice-when-you-are-being-appreciated-and-you-get/) [Virat Kohli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virat-kohli/) > [I have always been complimented that my voice matches all actors like Shahid Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javed-ali/i-have-always-been-complimented-that-my-voice-matches-all-actors-like/) [Javed Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javed-ali/) ## More by Shannon Hale > [“Well, write me into the list of Those Who Don’t Mind a Bit,” said Cupid, eyeing his perfectly toned arms and chest. “My, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/well-write-me-into-the-list-of-those-who-don-t-mind-a-bit-said-cupid/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“Sometimes instinct isn't fancy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/sometimes-instinct-isn-t-fancy/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Enna leaned back her head and laughed at the sky. 'Of course he wasn't! Who could kill Razo?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/enna-leaned-back-her-head-and-laughed-at-the-sky-of-course-he-wasn-t/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“Um… I guess that’s that,” said Cerise. “That?” said Maddie. “That is never that. This is that. Or else that is this. And this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/um-i-guess-that-s-that-said-cerise-that-said-maddie-that-is-never/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [The book smelled dusty and old but also carried a sweet tang, a hint of something inviting. She opened to the first page and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/the-book-smelled-dusty-and-old-but-also-carried-a-sweet-tang-a-hint/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Geric," she called. He turned back around. "What kind of flowers were they?" "I don't rightly know," he said. He made faltering gestures with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/geric-she-called-he-turned-back-around-what-kind-of-flowers-were-they/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [How I keep trying to force our story into a fairy tale, but from the beginning, it's been more like a nursery rhyme." "Bizarre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/how-i-keep-trying-to-force-our-story-into-a-fairy-tale-but-from-the/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“He wildly combed his hair with his fingers. “I can’t bear to be out there with you right now, all those indifferent people watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/he-wildly-combed-his-hair-with-his-fingers-i-can-t-bear-to-be-out/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [But, how do you know if an ending is truly good for the characters unless you've traveled with them through every page?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/but-how-do-you-know-if-an-ending-is-truly-good-for-the-characters/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“Sometimes it seems my identity’s a matter of opinion”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/sometimes-it-seems-my-identity-s-a-matter-of-opinion/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [The snow was too light to stay, the ground too warm to keep it. And the strange spring snow fell only in that golden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/the-snow-was-too-light-to-stay-the-ground-too-warm-to-keep-it-and-the/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Even the jerks earn some of our affection. We can be glad they're gone and yet still mourn the good parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/even-the-jerks-earn-some-of-our-affection-we-can-be-glad-they-re-gone/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Smell is the voice of the soul...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/smell-is-the-voice-of-the-soul/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“It was my jewelry!” Briar shouted after his father because he’d forgotten to ask what was stolen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/it-was-my-jewelry-briar-shouted-after-his-father-because-he-d/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Oh, but I like my geese. Like cats, they can't be told what to do, and like dogs, they're loyal, and like people, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/oh-but-i-like-my-geese-like-cats-they-can-t-be-told-what-to-do-and/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) [Explore all 358 Shannon Hale quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) ## More Compliment quotes > [Hot legs, bring your Mother, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stewart/hot-legs-bring-your-mother-too/) [Rod Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stewart/) > [I see the joy in life and I see the joy in simple things. I over-compliment. I over-praise. I over-express my feelings toward people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-lansing/i-see-the-joy-in-life-and-i-see-the-joy-in-simple-things-i-over/) [Sherry Lansing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-lansing/) > [The words I LOVE YOU, sometimes fooled us... But when someone says I TRUST YOU.. That's a better compliment, a true care with faith...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-reolope/the-words-i-love-you-sometimes-fooled-us-but-when-someone-says-i/) [Janet Reolope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-reolope/) > [Sometimes after a compliment about my characterization skills, I'm asked if I model my characters on real people. Emphatically, no. And sort of, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/sometimes-after-a-compliment-about-my-characterization-skills-i-m/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [I've got the public. I don't care about the critics. I did at one time. I don't any more. I did when I needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/i-ve-got-the-public-i-don-t-care-about-the-critics-i-did-at-one-time/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [When one is frank, one's very presence is a compliment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-moore/when-one-is-frank-one-s-very-presence-is-a-compliment/) [Marianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-moore/) > [Well, I think every now and again, some people deserve to get their butts chewed. Every now and again some people deserve a pat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/well-i-think-every-now-and-again-some-people-deserve-to-get-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are searching for the same thing,” Stripey said. “How do you know?” Janco asked. “I read his mind.” The Sitian pointed to Ari.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/we-are-searching-for-the-same-thing-stripey-said-how-do-you-know/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“Even if you are a pompous ass with no respect for authority, you're worth fifty men, and I mean to see you in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcclellan/even-if-you-are-a-pompous-ass-with-no-respect-for-authority-you-re/) [Brian McClellan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcclellan/) > [You're better off owning 30 percent and having two amazing partners who compliment you and are equally as driven as you are than having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-dyrdek/you-re-better-off-owning-30-percent-and-having-two-amazing-partners/) [Rob Dyrdek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-dyrdek/) > [The three of us just try put our heads down and stay creative. The awards truly are just cake. It's one of those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-scott/the-three-of-us-just-try-put-our-heads-down-and-stay-creative-the/) [Hillary Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-scott/) > [Your eyes are like two jewels in the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/your-eyes-are-like-two-jewels-in-the-sky/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [I've made this conscious decision to tell people on the street when I think they're wearing something great. If more people did that, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-jensen/i-ve-made-this-conscious-decision-to-tell-people-on-the-street-when-i/) [Ashley Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-jensen/) > [“Why did you decide to be an architect?" "I didn't know it then. But it's because I've never believed in God." "Come on, talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/why-did-you-decide-to-be-an-architect-i-didn-t-know-it-then-but-it-s/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) [Browse all 1,338 Compliment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compliment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I think you just complimented me,\" said Jane. \"You should take better care next time.\" The music had started, the couples had begun a promenade, but Mr. Nobley paused to hold Jane's arm and whisper, \"Jane Erstwhile, if I never had to speak with another human being but you, I would die a happy man. I would that these people, the music, the food and foolishness all disappeared and left us alone. I would never tire of looking at you or listening to you.\" He took a breath. \"There. That compliment was on purpose. I swear I will never idly compliment you again.\" Jane's mouth was dry. All she could think to say was, \"But... but surely you wouldn't banish all the food.\" He considered, then nodded once. \"Right. We will keep the food. We will have a picnic.\" And he spun her into the middle of the dance.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shannon Hale" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-jane-you-should-take-better/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compliment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-jane-you-should-take-better/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/shannon-hale-827_compliment_i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-ja_1673513.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/shannon-hale-827_compliment_i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-ja_1673513.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/shannon-hale-827_compliment_i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-ja_1673513.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think you just complimented me,\" said Jane. \"You should take better care next time.\" The music had…” — Shannon Hale", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Shannon Hale", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I think you just complimented me,\"...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-jane-you-should-take-better/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-jane-you-should-take-better/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```