"Pride and Prejudice"
by Jane Austen

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     "Certainly," replied Elizabeth--"there are such people, but I hope I am not one of them. I hope I never ridicule what is wise and good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. But these, I suppose, are precisely what you are without."

     "Perhaps that is not possible for anyone. But it has been the study of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a strong understanding to ridicule."

     "Such as vanity and pride."

 

     "Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride--where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation."

     Elizabeth turned away to hide a smile.

     "Your examination of Mr. Darcy is over, I presume," said Miss Bingley; "and pray what is the result?"

     "I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it himself without disguise."

 
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