1,664 Quotes by Jane Austen

. . . provided that nothing like useful knowledge could be gained from them, provided they were all story and no reflection, she had never any objection to books at all.

Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor. Which is one very strong argument in favor of matrimony.

speaks very truthfully. ... I loved the fact that it felt so honest. I respond to scripts regardless of where or when they're set; for me, it's about whether the characters ring true.

Where youth and diffidence are united, it requires uncommon steadiness of reason to resist the attraction of being called the most charming girl in the world.

One has no great hopes from Birmingham. I always say there is something direful in the sound.

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

A woman, especially if she has the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can.

An engaged woman is always more agreeable than a disengaged. She is satisfied with herself. Her cares are over, and she feels that she may exert all her powers of pleasing without suspicion. All is safe with a lady engaged; no harm can be done.

A single woman with a narrow income must be a ridiculous 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.