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Feeling... clamoured wildly. 'Oh, comply!' it said. '... soothe him; save him; love him; tell him you love him and will be his. Who in the world cares for you? or who will be injured by what you do?' Still indomitable was the reply: 'I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad-as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation... They have a worth - so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane - quite insane: with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs.

Charlotte Bronte#31

MoralityChoiceSolitudeConvictionIntegrityResilienceSelf respectSelf worthTemptation

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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker refuses to compromise her self-respect or moral principles despite intense emotional turmoil and societal pressure to submit.
In plain terms
I will respect myself and follow moral laws even when I feel alone and tempted.
What can you take from it?
Maintain self-respect and moral integrity even under intense pressure.

Where it applies

  • facing moral dilemmas
  • dealing with rejection
  • maintaining boundaries

Putting it to work

  • write down core values
  • reflect on long-term principles
  • seek support without compromising

Questions to consider

  • What principles do you hold even when lonely?
  • How do you balance emotion and law?

Another view

Strict adherence to principles might sometimes prevent necessary compromise in relationships.

More from Charlotte Bronte

  1. I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.

    Permalink to quote #30

  2. Gentle reader, may you never feel what I then felt? May your eyes never shed such stormy, scalding, heart-wrung tears as poured from mine. May you never appeal…

    Permalink to quote #32

  3. My bride is here... because my equal is here, and my likeness.

    Permalink to quote #29

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