About this quote

High standards can protect you from bad matches, but they can also keep you alone if they go unchecked. That loneliness is not a moral failure — it's useful feedback. Look over your requirements and ask which ones are truly non-negotiable and which are habits or fears. Try changing one small expectation and see if that opens space to meet different people.

When to use it

• At my sister's wedding when relatives ask why I'm still single, I remember Austen's line and say, "I require a lot — I'm not willing to settle."
• When my manager pushes me to hire someone who fits a long wish list, I recall the quote and argue we should focus on a few core skills instead of perfection.
• Choosing a thesis supervisor, I think of the line and decide not to pick someone famous if their working style will clash with mine.
• A landlord offers a cheaper flat that meets most things but feels unreliable; I think of the quote and turn it down rather than compromise on trust.