Jane Austen Quotes

And from the whole she deduced this useful lesson, that to go previously engaged to a ball, does not necessarily increase either the dignity or enjoyment of a young lady.

Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing! but I never have been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall.

Evil to some is always good to others

A very narrow income has a tendency to contract the mind, and sour the temper. Those who can barely live, and who live perforce in a very small, and generally very inferior, society, may well be illiberal and cross.

I am happier than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh. Mr. Darcy sends you all the love in the world, that he can spare from me.

This is an evening of wonders, indeed!

There is something in the eloquence of the pulpit, when it is really eloquence, which is entitled to the highest praise and honour. The preacher who can touch and affect such an heterogeneous mass of hearers, on subjects limited, and long worn thread-bare in all common hands; who can say any thing new or striking, any thing that rouses the attention, without offending the taste, or wearing out the feelings of his hearers, is a man whom one could not (in his public capacity) honour enough.

Nothing amuses me more than the easy manner with which everybody settles the abundance of those who have a great deal less than themselves.

Anne hoped she had outlived the age of blushing; but the age of emotion she certainly had not.

Mr. Darcy began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention.

You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. -Mr. Darcy

Till this moment I never knew myself.

Loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable; that one false step involves her in endless ruin; that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful; and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the undeserving of the other sex.

His cold politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.

You shall not, for the sake of one individual, change the meaning of principle and integrity.

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.

Always resignation and acceptance. Always prudence and honour and duty. Elinor, where is your heart?

We do not look in great cities for our best morality.

To wish was to hope, and to hope was to expect

She told the story, however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in any thing ridiculous.

My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?

It was not in her nature, however, to increase her vexations by dwelling on them. She was confident of having performed her duty, and to fret over unavoidable evils, or augment them by anxiety, was not part of her disposition.

Then it would not be so strong a sense. If it failed to produce equal exertion, it could not be an equal conviction.

She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both: by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved; and from his judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance.

I have never yet found that the advice of a Sister could prevent a young Man's being in love if he chose it.

You ought certainly to forgive them as a Christian, but never to admit them in your sight, or allow their names to be mentioned in your hearing.

She had nothing to wish otherwise, but that the days did not pass so swiftly. It was a delightful visit;-perfect, in being much too short.

Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery. I quit such odious subjects as soon as I can, impatient to restore everybody not greatly in fault themselves to tolerable comfort, and to have done with all the rest.

An interval of meditation, serious and grateful, was the best corrective of everything dangerous.

I should infinitely prefer a book.

Oh! write, write. Finish it at once. Let there be an end of this suspense. Fix, commit, condemn yourself.

I am not fond of the idea of my shrubberies being always approachable.

Dress is at all times a frivolous distinction, and excessive solicitude about it often destroys its own aim.

But to live in ignorance on such a point was impossible.

There could have never been two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved. Now they were as strangers; nay, worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted. It was a perpetual estrangement.

I do not cough for my own amusement.

You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.

Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours; whenever she was alone, she gave way to it as the greatest relief; and not a day went by without a solitary walk, in which she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections.

I assure you. I have no notion of treating men with such respect. That is the way to spoil them.

I do not find it easy to talk to people I don't know.

If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad.

Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly.

What! Would I be turned back from doing a thing that I had determined to do, and that I knew to be right, by the airs and interference of such a person, or any person I may say? No, I have no idea of being so easily persuaded. When I have made up my mind, I have made it.

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

Young ladies should take care of themselves. Young ladies are delicate plants. They should take care of their health and their complexion. My dear, did you change your stockings?

Time did not compose her.

It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.

One word from you shall silence me forever.