Jane Austen Quotes

“Time did not compose her.”

“I have often observed that resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our eyes.”

“It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. I talked about the dance, and you ought to make some kind of remark on the size of the room, or the number of couples.”

“Elinor was to be the comforter of others in her own distresses, no less than in theirs; and all the comfort that could be given by assurances of her own composure of mind, and a very earnest vindication of Edward from every charge but of imprudence, was readily offered.”

“I trust that absolutes have gradations.”

“Her own thoughts and reflections were habitually her best companions.”

“Imust have a London audience.I could never preach, but to the educated; to those who were capable of estimating my composition.”

“I do not think I ever opened a book in my life which had not something to say upon woman's inconstancy. Songs and proverbs, all talk of woman's fickleness. But perhaps you will say, these were all written by men.”

“She wished such words unsaid with all her heart”

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

“Her mind was all disorder. The past, present, future, every thing was terrible.”

“A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can.”

“Nobody could catch cold by the sea; nobody wanted appetite by the sea; nobody wanted spirits; nobody wanted strength. Sea air was healing, softening, relaxing - fortifying and bracing - seemingly just as was wanted - sometimes one, sometimes the other. If the sea breeze failed, the seabath was the certain corrective; and where bathing disagreed, the sea air alone was evidently designed by nature for the cure.”

“A person who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write ill.”

“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps one in a continual state of inelegance.”

“Do you not want to know who has taken it?" cried his wife impatiently.”

“Nobody minds having what is too good for them.”

“We met Dr. Hall in such deep mourning that either his mother, his wife, or himself must be dead.”

“What are men to rocks and mountains?”

“Run mad as often as you choose, but do not faint!”

“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.”

“At first sight, his address is certainly not striking; and his person can hardly be called handsome, till the expression of his eyes, which are uncommonly good, and the general sweetness of his countenance, is perceived.”

“And what am I to do on the occasion? -- It seems an hopeless business.”

“From politics, it was an easy step to silence.”

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