Jane Austen: Trending quotes

“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.”

Source: Emma

Jane Austen book Persuasion

Source: Persuasion

“And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody."
"And yours," he replied with a smile, "is willfully to misunderstand them.”

“Hope no one adds zombies to this.”

Source: Pride and Prejudice

“Those who have not more must be satisfied with what they have.”

Source: Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen book Mansfield Park

Source: Mansfield Park

“The worst crimes; are the crimes of the heart”

“never could I expect to be so truly beloved and important; so always first and always right in any man's eyes as I am in my father's…”

“Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility.”

Source: Emma

“Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor, which is one very strong argument in favour of matrimony.”

Source: Pride and Prejudice

“Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing! but I have never been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall. And, without love, I am sure I should be a fool to change such a situation as mine.”

Letter to Fanny Knight (1817-03-13) [Letters of Jane Austen -- Brabourne Edition]
Letters

“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.”

Source: Emma

Jane Austen book Northanger Abbey

Source: Northanger Abbey

“Marianne was silent; it was impossible for her to say what she did not feel, however trivial the occasion…”

Jane Austen book Sense and Sensibility

Source: Sense and Sensibility

“I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature. My attachments are always excessively strong.”

“No lace. No lace, Mrs. Bennett, I beg you!”

“proper attention and management, less irritable, less”

Pride and Prejudice

“We have been exceedingly busy ever since you went away. In the first place we have had to rejoice two or three times everyday at your having such very delightful weather for the whole of your journey…”

Pride and Prejudice

“It is a lovely night, and they are much to be pitied who have not been taught to feel, in some degree, as you do; who have not, at least, been given a taste for Nature in early life. They lose a great deal.”

Letter (1800-11-25) [Letters of Jane Austen -- Brabourne Edition]
Letters

Jane Austen book Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park (1814)
Works, Mansfield Park

“I know no better way, my dearest Edward, of thanking you for your affectionate concern for me during my illness than by telling you myself, as soon as possible, that I continue to get better. I will not boast of my handwriting; neither that nor my face have yet recovered their proper beauty, but in other respects I am gaining strength very fast. I am now out of bed from 9 in the morning to 10 at night: upon the sofa, 'tis true, but I eat my meals with Aunt Cass in a rational way, and can employ myself, and walk from one room to another. Mr. Lyford says he will cure me, and if he fails, I shall draw up a memorial and lay it before the Dean and Chapter, and have no doubt of redress from that pious, learned, and disinterested body.”

“One has not great hopes from Birmingham. I always say there is something direful in the sound…”

Letter to J. Edward Austen (1817-05-27) [Jane Austen, Her Life and Letters: A Family Record]
Letters

“Many thanks for your kind care for my health; I certainly have not been well for many weeks, and about a week ago I was very poorly. I have had a good deal of fever at times, and indifferent nights; but I am considerably better now and am recovering my looks a little, which have been bad enough — black and white, and every wrong colour. I must not depend upon being ever very blooming again. Sickness is a dangerous indulgence at my time of life.”

Emma (1815)
Works, Emma