"Neither duty, nor honour, nor gratitude," replied Elizabeth, "have any possible claim on me, in the present instance. No principle of either would be violated by my marriage with Mr. Darcy. And with regard to the resentment of his family, or the indignation of the world, if the former were excited by his marrying me, it would not give me one moment’s concern – and the world in general would have too much sense to join in the scorn."
– Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 56. Elizabeth refuses to bend the knee to the dictatorial Lady Catherine on the matter of a potential marriage to Mr. Darcy. When the great lady accuses her of refusing to "obey the claims of duty, honour, and gratitude," the indomitable and unsubmissive Elizabeth hits the high class bully with this firm and spirited response.