General benevolence, but not general friendship, made a man what he ought to be

General benevolence, but not general friendship, made a man what he ought to be

In the world of Jane Austen's novels, the concept of general benevolence is a recurring theme that is often contrasted with the idea of general friendship. Austen's characters are frequently faced with moral dilemmas that test their sense of duty, kindness, and compassion towards others. While general benevolence is seen as a virtue that is essential for a person to be considered morally upright, general friendship is often portrayed as a more complex and nuanced relationship that requires mutual understanding, trust, and loyalty.