Sometimes one is guided by what they say of themselves, and very frequently by what other people say of them, without giving oneself time to deliberate and judge.
 Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility (1811). copy citation

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Author Jane Austen
Source Sense and Sensibility
Topic time guide
Date 1811
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/21839/21839-h/21839-h.htm

Context

“said Elinor, "in a total misapprehension of character in some point or other: fancying people so much more gay or grave, or ingenious or stupid than they really are, and I can hardly tell why or in what the deception originated. Sometimes one is guided by what they say of themselves, and very frequently by what other people say of them, without giving oneself time to deliberate and judge." "But I thought it was right, Elinor," said Marianne, "to be guided wholly by the opinion of other people. I thought our judgments were given us merely to be subservient to those of neighbours. This has always been your doctrine, I am sure."” source