“ Good company requires only birth, education, and manners, and with regard to education is not very nice. Birth and good manners are essential; but a little learning is by no means a dangerous thing in good company; on the contrary, it will do very well. ”
Jane Austen, Persuasion (1816). copy citation
| Author | Jane Austen |
|---|---|
| Source | Persuasion |
| Topic | education birth |
| Date | 1816 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/105/105-h/105-h.htm |
Context
“"My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company."
"You are mistaken," said he gently, "that is not good company; that is the best. Good company requires only birth, education, and manners, and with regard to education is not very nice. Birth and good manners are essential; but a little learning is by no means a dangerous thing in good company; on the contrary, it will do very well. My cousin Anne shakes her head. She is not satisfied. She is fastidious. My dear cousin" (sitting down by her) , "you have a better right to be fastidious than almost any other woman I know; but will it answer?” source
"You are mistaken," said he gently, "that is not good company; that is the best. Good company requires only birth, education, and manners, and with regard to education is not very nice. Birth and good manners are essential; but a little learning is by no means a dangerous thing in good company; on the contrary, it will do very well. My cousin Anne shakes her head. She is not satisfied. She is fastidious. My dear cousin" (sitting down by her) , "you have a better right to be fastidious than almost any other woman I know; but will it answer?” source
