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Jane Austen Quotes
1775–1817 England
Jane Austen (December 16 1775 – July 18 1817) was an English novelist who recorded the domestic manners of the landed gentry. She is known for her classically understated style and sly, ironic humour.
Also known as: Austen, Jane
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57 quotes
I cannot help thinking that it is more natural to have flowers grow out of the head than fruit.
Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor, which is one very strong argument in favour of matrimony.
I would recommend to her and Mr. D. the simple regimen of separate rooms.
To yield readily--easily--to the persuasion of a friend is no merit.... To yield without conviction is no compliment to the understanding of either.”
Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then. It is something to think of, and gives her a sort of distinction among her companions.
Pride and Prejudice (1813)
We are to have a tiny party here tonight. I hate tiny parties, they force one into constant exertion.
I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
I have now attained the true art of letter-writing, which we are always told, is to express on paper exactly what one would say to the same person by word of mouth.
Next week I shall begin my operations on my hat, on which you know my principal hopes of happiness depend.
I will not say that your mulberry-trees are dead, but I am afraid they are not alive.
I am rather impatient to know the fate of my best gown.
I think I am justified — though where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong?
Sense and Sensibility (1811)
Mr. Digweed has used us basely. Handsome is as handsome does; he is therefore a very ill-looking man.
Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot's character; vanity of person and of situation.
Persuasion (1818)
She would tell you herself that she has a very dreadful cold in her head at present; but I have not much compassion for colds in the head without fever or sore throat.
I give you joy of our new nephew, and hope if he ever comes to be hanged it will not be till we are too old to care about it.
You know how interesting the purchase of a sponge-cake is to me.
A single woman, with a very narrow income, must be a ridiculous, disagreeable, old maid! the proper sport of boys and girls; but a single woman, of good fortune, is always respectable, and may be as sensible and pleasant as anybody else.
Emma (1815)
I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant, and spending all my money, and, what is worse for you, I have been spending yours too.
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