There are but a few whom I truly love and even fewer whom I regard with unshaken respect. As I move through the world, my discontent with its nature deepens. Each day reinforces my conviction in the fragile and inconsistent nature of human character. The outward displays of virtue and intellect often crumble upon closer scrutiny, revealing how little one can truly depend on appearances. In this ever-shifting landscape of human behavior, I find myself questioning the stability of what we deem as merit or wisdom. — Elizabeth Bennett, Pride and Prejudice — 1813