Jane Austen Quotes

“Upon the whole, therefore, she found what had been sometimes found before, that an event to which she had looked forward with impatient desire, did not, in taking place, bring all the satisfaction she had promised herself.”

“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.”

“Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you.”

“She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting. Perhaps indifferent, if indifference could exist under such circumstances. He must be either indifferent or unwilling. Has he wished ever to see her again, he need not have waited till this time; he would have done what she could not but believe that in his place she should have done long ago, when events had been early giving him the indepencence which alone had been wanting.”

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

“it is very well worthwhile to be tormented for two or three years of one's life, for the sake of being able to read all the rest of it.”

“Mr. Bennet's expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment.”

“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.'”

“It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us.”

“Indeed, I am very sorry to be right in this instance. I would much rather have been merry than wise.”

“It was for the sake of what had been, rather than what was.”

“It is only a novel... or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language”

“Yes," replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, "but that was when I first knew her; for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”

“An artist cannot do anything slovenly.”

“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.”

“Now they were as strangers; nay worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted.”

“..that sanguine expectation of happiness which is happiness itself”

“There seems almost a general wish of descrying the capacity and undervaluing the labour of the novelist, and of slighting the performances which have only genius, wit, and taste to recommend them.”

“She tried to explain the real state of the case to her sister. "I do not attempt to deny," said she, "that I think very highly of him--that I greatly esteem, that I like him." Marianne here burst with forth with indignation: "Esteem him! Like him! Cold-hearted Elinor. Oh! worse than cold-hearted! Ashamed of being otherwise. Use those words again, and I will leave the room this moment." Elinor could not help laughing. "Excuse me," said she, "and be assured that I meant no offence to you, by speaking, in so quiet a way, of my own feelings.”

“Respect for right conduct is felt by every body.”

“Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.”

“It was a delightful visit;-perfect, in being much too short.”

“Did not you? I did for you. But that is one great difference between us. Compliments always take you by surprise, and me never.”

“A Mr. (save, perhaps, some half dozen in the nation,) always needs a note of explanation.”

“I have not the pleasure of understanding you.”