"I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle"

This quote by Jane Austen assesses her own life and her own habits. She acknowledges that she has been self-centered in her actions, however not in her objectives. This suggests that she has acted in a way that has been beneficial to her, but not always to others. She may have been driven by her own desires and requirements, rather than thinking about the requirements of others. This quote likewise recommends that she has know her own selfishness, and has actually been trying to alter her habits. She may have been attempting to be more considerate of others, and to think about the repercussions of her actions. This quote assesses the value of considering the needs of others, and of knowing our own habits. It is a pointer that our actions can have an impact on those around us, which we need to strive to be more conscious of our own actions.