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Sense and Sensibility Sir John Middleton Quotes

"It is a melancholy consideration. Born to the prospect of such affluence! I cannot conceive a situation more deplorable. The interest of two thousand pounds -- how can a man live on it! -- and when to that is added the recollection that he might, but for his own folly, within three months have been in the receipt of two thousand five hundred a-year, (for Miss Morton has thirty thousand pounds,) I cannot picture to myself a more wretched condition. We must all feel for him; and the more so, because it is totally out of our power to assist him." (37.29)

John's description of Edward's circumstances make him a clear foil to Willoughby – when offered a bribe (basically) to marry the wrong woman, he chose to take the honorable path instead of the money.