“His cold politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.”
Source: Persuasion
Experience Jane Austen's timeless wisdom in her unforgettable quotes. From love and friendship to society and human nature, Austen's words resonate across generations. Immerse yourself in her captivating world and be inspired by her wit and wisdom.
Jane Austen was an English novelist who is best known for her six novels, which offer a critique of the British landed gentry in the 18th century. Her works primarily explore the role of women in society and their reliance on marriage for social standing and financial security. Austen's novels, characterized by their social commentary, realism, and clever irony, have garnered praise from critics and scholars alike.
Although Austen's novels, such as Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, and Emma, were initially met with modest success during her lifetime, they did not bring her much fame. She also wrote two other novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, which were published posthumously in 1818. Additionally, she left behind several volumes of juvenile writings as well as an unfinished novel called Sanditon. However, after her death in 1817, her novels gained recognition when they were republished in Richard Bentley's Standard Novels series in 1833. Since then, Austen's works have enjoyed widespread acclaim and popularity among readers.
Austen's literary legacy extends beyond the written word. Her novels have served as inspiration for numerous critical essays and have been included in various literary anthologies. Moreover, her stories have been adapted into several films over the years, such as Pride and Prejudice (1940), Sense and Sensibility (1995), and Love & Friendship (2016). Despite her supposed uneventful life during her time, Jane Austen's insightful portrayal of societal expectations continues to captivate audiences even today.
“His cold politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.”
Source: Persuasion
“Is not general incivility the very essence of love?”
Variant: Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?
Source: Pride and Prejudice
“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps one in a continual state of inelegance.”
Letter (1796-09-18) [Letters of Jane Austen -- Brabourne Edition]
Letters
“Mr. Darcy began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention.”
Source: Pride and Prejudice
“Eleanor went to her room "where she was free to think and be wretched.”
Source: Sense and Sensibility
Source: Sense and Sensibility: The Screenplay
“But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.”
Source: Mansfield Park
“She had a lively, playful disposition that delighted in anything ridiculous.”
Source: Pride and Prejudice
“What a shame, for I dearly love to laugh.”
Source: Pride and Prejudice
“Life could do nothing for her, beyond giving time for a better preparation for death.”
Source: Sense and Sensibility
Source: Northanger Abbey: a play in two acts, based upon the novel
“I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these."
- Mr. Darcy”
Source: Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Persuasion
“I am not fond of the idea of my shrubberies being always approachable.”
Source: Persuasion
Variant: To wish was to hope, and to hope was to expect
Source: Sense and Sensibility
“How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!”
Source: Pride and Prejudice
“Fanny! You are killing me!"
"No man dies of love but on the stage, Mr. Crawford.”
Source: Mansfield Park