A drooping rose and an upright pink rose stand together in a slender glass vase against a pale pink background.

Original artwork, not a still

Emma • 1815

Jane Austen

There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

Tenderness of heart is set above every other kind of charm a person might have. Wit, beauty, and cleverness all take a back seat to plain warmth. It's a quiet argument that kindness outshines showier qualities.

Context reviewed

Share this quote