Jane Austen Quotes

It is wonderful, for almost all his actions may be traced to pride;-and pride has often been his best friend.

She will never submit to any thing requiring industry and patience, and a subjection of the fancy to the understanding.

How much I love every thing that is decided and open!

If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient.

You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.

A submissive spirit might be patient, a strong understanding would supply resolution, but here was something more; here was that elasticity of mind, that disposition to be comforted, that power of turning readily from evil to good, and of finding employment which carried her out of herself, which was from nature alone. It was the choicest gift of Heaven; and Anne viewed her friend as one of those instances in which, by a merciful appointment, it seems designed to counterbalance almost every other want.

Her own thoughts and reflections were habitually her best companions.

Men of sense, whatever you may choose to say, do not want silly wives.

A very short trial convinced her that a curricle was the prettiest equipage in the world.

I had a very pleasant evening, however, though you will probably find out that there was no particular reason for it; but I do not think it worthwhile to wait for enjoyment until there is some real opportunity for it.

Fanny! You are killing me!" "No man dies of love but on the stage, Mr. Crawford.

Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then.

But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.

In a letter from Bath to her sister, Cassandra, one senses her frustration at her sheltered existence, Tuesday, 12 May 1801. Another stupid party . . . with six people to look on, and talk nonsense to each other.

I never wish to offend, but I am so foolishly shy, that I often seem negligent, when I am only kept back by my natural awkwardness.

I have no talent for certainty.

...I will not allow books to prove any thing." "But how shall we prove any thing?" "We never shall.

This sweetest and best of all creatures, faultless in spite of all her faults.

My good qualities are under your protection, and you are to exaggerate them as much as possible; and, in return, it belongs to me to find occasion for teasing and quarreling with you as often as may be.

I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like

There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.

From the very beginning— from the first moment, I may almost say— of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.

The ladies here probably exchanged looks which meant, 'Men never know when things are dirty or not;' and the gentlemen perhaps thought each to himself, 'Women will have their little nonsense and needless cares.'

If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.

Nobody, who has not been in the interior of a family, can say what the difficulties of any individual of that family may be.

Those who do not complain are never pitied.

That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.

Yes, I found myself, by insensible degrees, sincerely fond of her; and the happiest hours of my life were what I spent with her.

Oh! do not attack me with your watch. A watch is always too fast or too slow. I cannot be dictated to by a watch.

Eleanor went to her room "where she was free to think and be wretched.

It's such a happiness when good people get together.

Oh! I am delighted with the book! I should like to spend my whole life in reading it.

He then departed, to make himself still more interesting, in the midst of a heavy rain.

You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner.

No one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with.

I would rather have young people settle on a small income at once, and have to struggle with a few difficulties together, than be involved in a long engagement.

Catherine hoped at least to pass uncensured through the crowd. As for admiration, it was always very welcome when it came, but she did not depend on it.

The younger brother must help to pay for the pleasures of the elder.

How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!

She was without any power, because she was without any desire of command over herself.

Respect for right conduct is felt by every body.

When the evening was over, Anne could not be amused…nor could she help fearing, on more serious reflection, that, like many other great moralists and preachers, she had been eloquent on a point in which her own conduct would ill bear examination.

I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed!

I love you. Most ardently.

I do not like to have people throw themselves away; but everybody should marry as soon as they can do it to advantage.

Of this she was perfectly unaware; to her he was only the man who had made himself agreeable nowhere, and who had not thought her handsome enough to dance with.

You must really begin to harden yourself to the idea of being worth looking at.

It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first.