Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.

She denied none of it aloud, and agreed to none of it in private.

There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.

He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and every body hoped that he would never come there again.

I do not find myself making any use of the word sacrifice.

Mr. Knightley seemed to be trying not to smile; and succeeded without difficulty, upon Mrs. Elton's beginning to talk to him.

I . . . am always half afraid of finding a clever novel too clever--& of finding my own story & my own people all forestalled.