“If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved of you and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends.”–Charlotte Brontë
The main point of the statement is that what you think is more important than what other people think. If you really think you did the right thing and don’t feel bad about it, what other people think or misunderstand shouldn’t matter. In this case, your conscience is a friend inside you that helps you and makes you feel better. The quote also makes people think about how they want to be liked and how they are afraid of being turned down. This idea also fits with a bigger theme in the book: Jane’s struggle for freedom, respect, and moral clarity. She doesn’t always do what society expects of her, but she always follows her strong sense of right and wrong. The quote is still very important today. In a world where social validation and what other people think are important, it reminds us to stick to our beliefs.
Know Thyself 