Pride and Prejudice Quotes
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Source: Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
"There are few people whom I really love and still fewer of whom I think well."
"There are few people whom I really love and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense."
Context
Um, harsh.
Elizabeth Bennet of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is known for her real talk. And, yes, real talk can be harsh from time to time.
Elizabeth says these words to her sister Jane, who, in contrast, always assumes the best in everyone. Lizzy is surprised by her sister's capacity for good but is too stunned by the senselessness of those around her to have the same sentiment. In particular, she's referring to Charlotte's marriage to Mr. Collins, a man who she cannot stand, but who, as Jane notes, may make sense from Charlotte's perspective.
Where you've heard it
If the first line is quoted in isolation, you might hear it used to take a jab at friends or family: just because you love them doesn't mean you have to think well of them (we're looking at you, Lydia).
But as a whole, the quote is more about the senselessness of people in general. As Elizabeth says, one's appearance does not always reflect one's character...and we have an inkling of whom Elizabeth might be directing this toward.
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.
Anyone who has trouble respecting the character of most people she meets, even people she loves, might be on a bit of a high horse. Pretty ironic given that Mr. Darcy's pretentiousness is what Elizabeth despises most about him.