She thought it was the misfortune of poetry, to be seldom safely enjoyed by those who enjoyed it completely; and that the strong feelings which alone could estimate it truly, were the very feelings which ought to taste it but sparingly.

Jane Austen
About This Quote

In a letter to Lord Byron, Mary Shelley wrote: "She thought it was the misfortune of poetry, to be seldom safely enjoyed by those who enjoyed it completely; and that the strong feelings which alone could estimate it truly, were the very feelings which ought to taste it but sparingly." This is a very interesting quote because of its context. In this context, Mary Shelley is saying that poetry should be tasted sparingly so that we don't get overwhelmed by our emotions and we don't become too attached to it.

Source: Persuasion

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More Quotes By Jane Austen
  1. There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.
  2. A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.
  3. In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.
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  5. I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.
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