# Quote — Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

> If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust; the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should — so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again.

- Author: [Charlotte Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte.md)
- Book: [Jane Eyre](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/jane-eyre.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Charlotte_Bront%C3%AB#Jane_Eyre_(1847)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/jane-eyre/if-people-were

## More from this book

> "I scorn your idea of love," I could not help saying, as I rose up and stood before him, leaning my back against the rock. "I scorn the counterfeit sentiment you offer; yes, St. John, and I scorn you when you offer it."

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/jane-eyre/i-scorn-your.md)

> Reader, I married him.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/jane-eyre/reader-i-married.md)

> I have not much pride under such circumstances: I would always rather be happy than dignified.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/jane-eyre/i-have-not.md)