Quote by Jane Austen
I can easily believe it. Women of that class have great opportunities, and if they are intelligent may be well worth listening to. Such varieites of human nature as they are in the habit of witnessing! And it is not merely in its follies, that they are read; for they see it occasionally under every circumstance that can be most interesting or affecting. What instances must pass before them of ardent, disinterested, self-denying attachment, of heroism, fortitude, patience, resignation-- of all the sacrifices that ennoble us most. A sick chamber may often furnish the worth of volumes.
Summary
In this quote, the speaker acknowledges the intelligence and worthiness of women of a certain class, presumably implying the working class or lower class. The speaker believes that these women have unique and valuable perspectives due to the great opportunities they have and the various forms of human nature they encounter on a regular basis. The quote suggests that these women not only witness human folly but also witness significant and touching moments, such as acts of love, bravery, endurance, and sacrifice. Even the experience of being in a sick chamber is seen as enlightening, capable of providing invaluable insights that would take volumes to capture.
By Jane Austen