Pride and Prejudice Quotes
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Source: Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
"I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine."
"[Mr. Darcy's] pride," said Miss Lucas, "does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so very fine a young man, with family, fortune, every thing in his favor, should think highly of himself. If I may so express it, he has a right to be proud."
"That is very true," replied Elizabeth, "and I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine."
Context
This line is spoken by Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen (1813).
It's no shock that a book called Pride and Prejudice has a whole lot to say about pride…and prejudice (but that one's a quote for another time). Here, Elizabeth Bennet is discussing the events of that night's ball with her friend, Charlotte Lucas. They were introduced to Mr. Darcy, who is exceedingly handsome and exceedingly rich, and who snubbed just about every girl in the room, including Lizzy. For shame, sir.
But Charlotte refuses to be as hard on him as others. Darcy is rich and important and good-looking. Maybe he has a reason to feel proud of himself? Elizabeth even seems to agree with her friend a little. She might be able to look the other way, too, but Mr. Darcy really did mortify her by refusing to dance with her. Her pride has been hurt by his diss, so she's not willing to let him off the hook just yet. Give it another fifty chapters or so. What were we saying about prejudice again?
Where you've heard it
Hey, sometimes you've just gotta hold onto a grudge and that's a great time to break out this quote. It's clearly Mr. Darcy's fault that Elizabeth hates him so much. Hmph.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
This is as straightforward and earnest a statement as any. You're basically admitting to your faults—yeah, you could overlook that guy's bad qualities, but you're just not gonna. Honesty never fails.