Quotes from book

Emma

“Time will generally lessen the interest of every attachment not within the daily circle.”

“There is one thing, Emma, which a man can always do if he chooses, and that is his duty; not by manoeuvring and finessing, but by vigour and resolution. - Mr. Knightley”

“Success supposes endeavour.”

“Wickedness is always wickedness, but folly is not always folly.”

“Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.”

“Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting situations, that a young person, who either marries or dies, is sure of being kindly spoken of.”

“if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him. If she can hesitate as to `Yes,' she ought to say `No' directly. It is not a state to be safely entered into with doubtful feelings, with half a heart.”

“The most incomprehensible thing in the world to a man, is a woman who rejects his offer of marriage!”

“I don't approve of surprises. The pleasure is never enhanced and the inconvenience is considerable.”

“Evil to some is always good to others”

“One man's style must not be the rule of another's.”

“A mind lively and at ease, can do with seeing nothing, and can see nothing that does not answer.”

“I certainly will not persuade myself to feel more than I do. I am quite enough in love. I should be sorry to be more”

“Men of sense, whatever you may choose to say, do not want silly wives.”

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

“There are people, who the more you do for them, the less they will do for themselves.”

“…why did we wait for any thing? — why not seize the pleasure at once?”