Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves." "You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least.

She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.

Look into your own heart because who looks outside, dreams, but who looks inside awakes.

Surprises are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.

Indeed, I am very sorry to be right in this instance. I would much rather have been merry than wise.

I am excessively fond of a cottage; there is always so much comfort, so much elegance about them. And I protest, if I had any money to spare, I should buy a little land and build one myself, within a short distance of London, where I might drive myself down at any time, and collect a few friends about me and be happy. I advise everybody who is going to build, to build a cottage.

At my time of life opinions are tolerably fixed. It is not likely that I should now see or hear anything to change them.