If people like to read their books, it is all very well, but to be at so much trouble in filling great volumes, which, as I used to think, nobody would willingly ever look into, to be labouring only for the torment of little boys and girls, always struck me as a hard fate.

She felt that she could so much more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked or said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind never varied, whose tongue never slipped.

She was happy, she knew she was happy, and knew she ought to be happy.

[W]here other powers of entertainment are wanting, the true philosopher will derive benefit from such as are given.

To be sure you know no actual good of me, but nobody thinks of that when they fall in love.

Nobody minds having what is too good for them.

When any two young people take it into their heads to marry, they are pretty sure by perseverance to carry their point, be they ever so poor, or ever so imprudent, or ever so little likely to be necessary to each other's ultimate comfort.