Jane Austen Quotes

Dear Diary, Today I tried not to think about Mr. Knightly. I tried not to think about him when I discussed the menu with Cook... I tried not to think about him in the garden where I thrice plucked the petals off a daisy to ascertain his feelings for Harriet. I don't think we should keep daisies in the garden, they really are a drab little flower. And I tried not to think about him when I went to bed, but something had to be done.

It was a gloomy prospect, and all that she could do was to throw a mist over it, and hope when the mist cleared away, she should see something else.

Wisdom is better than wit, and in the long run will certainly have the laugh on her side.

In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels.

No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would have supposed her born to be a heroine... But from fifteen to seventeen she was in training for a heroine.

I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful.

Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief.

But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.

Time, time will heal the wound.

Better be without sense than misapply it as you do.

Sense will always have attractions for me.

I think him every thing that is worthy and amiable.

When once married people begin to attack me with, 'Oh! you will think very differently, when you are married,' I can only say, 'No I shall not'; and then they say again, 'Yes you will,' and there is an end to it.

I frequently observe that one pretty face would be followed by five and thirty frights.

Obstinate, headstrong girl!

Elinor agreed with it all, for she did not think he deserved the compliment of rational opposition.

The Very first moment I beheld him, my heart was irrevocably gone.

Lovely & too charming Fair one, notwithstanding your forbidding Squint, your greazy tresses & your swelling Back, which are more frightful than imagination can paint or pen describe, I cannot refrain from expressing my raptures, at the engaging Qualities of your Mind, which so amply atone for the Horror, with which your first appearance must ever inspire the unwary visitor.

Family connexions were always worth preserving, good company always worth seeking.

I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant and spending all my money: and what is worse for you, I have been spending yours too.

But there was happiness elsewhere which no description can reach.

One can never have too large a party.

You may only call me "Mrs. Darcy"... when you are completely, and perfectly, and incandescently happy.

It is the misfortune of poetry, to be seldom safely enjoyed by those who enjoy it completely.

Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply.

I come here with no expectations, only to profess, now that I am at liberty to do so, that my heart is and always will be yours.

This was a lucky recollection -- it saved her from something like regret.

An agreeable manner may set off handsome features, but can never alter plain ones.

It is very difficult for the prosperous to be humble.

You are very kind in planning presents for me to make, and my mother has shown me exactly the same attention; but as I do not choose to have generosity dictated to me, I shall not resolve on giving my cabinet to Anna till the first thought of it has been my own.

I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends.

Everybody has their taste in noises as well as in other matters; and sounds are quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort rather than their quantity.

To begin perfect happiness at the respective ages of 26 and 18 is to do pretty well.

There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.

What are you thinking of so earnestly?" said he, as they walked back to the ballroom; "not of your partner, I hope, for, by that shake of the head, your meditations are not satisfactory." Catherine coloured, and said, "I was not thinking of anything." That is artful and deep, to be sure; but I had rather be told at once that you will not tell me." Well then, I will not." Thank you; for now we shall soon be acquainted, as I am authorized to tease you on this subject whenever we meet, and nothing in the world advances intimacy so much.

I have no more to say. If this be the case, he deserves you. I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to any one less worthy.

It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before.

There are few people whom I really love and still fewer of whom I think well.

I have no pretensions whatever to that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man.

... professing myself moreover convinced that the general's unjust interference, so far from being really injurious to their felicity, was perhaps rather conducive to it, by improving their knowledge of each other, and adding strength to their attachment, I leave it to be settled, by whomsoever it may concern, whether the tendency of this work be altogether to recommend parental tyranny, or reward filial disobedience.

How clever you are, to know something of which you are ignorant.

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

I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control.

How can you contrive to write so even?

[Mrs. Allen was] never satisfied with the day unless she spent the chief of it by the side of Mrs. Thorpe, in what they called conversation, but in which there was scarcely ever any exchange of opinion, and not often any resemblance of subject, for Mrs. Thorpe talked chiefly of her children, and Mrs. Allen of her gowns.

Well, my dear," said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note aloud, "if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness—if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.

When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable If I have not an excellent library.

For what do we live, but to make sport by subjecting our neighbors to endless discretionary review for minor additions?