Jane Austen Quotes

Selfishness must always be forgiven you know, because there is no hope of a cure.

You will have a great deal of unreserved discourse with Mrs. K., I dare say, upon this subject, as well as upon many other of our family matters. Abuse everybody but me.

We do not look in great cities for our best morality.

You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.

It is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are they the result of previous study?

Brandon is just the kind of man whom every body speaks well of, and nobody cares about; whom all are delighted to see, and nobody remembers to talk to.

Always resignation and acceptance. Always prudence and honour and duty. Elinor, where is your heart?

I love you. Most ardently.

His cold politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.

My idea of good company...is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.'
'You are mistaken,' said he gently, 'that is not good company, that is the best.

I would recommend to her and Mr. D. the simple regimen of separate rooms.

I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him.

What should I do with your strong, manly, spirited sketches, full of variety and glow? How could I possibly join them on to the little bit (two inches wide) of ivory on which I work with so fine a brush, as produces little effect after much labour?

Miss Morland, no one can think more highly of the understanding of women than I do. In my opinion, nature has given them so much, that they never find it necessary to use more than half.

He is a gentleman, and I am a gentleman's daughter. So far we are equal.