1,664 Quotes by Jane Austen

In such moments of precious, invaluable misery, she rejoiced in tears of agony...

Well, evil to some is always good to others.

But the inexplicability of the General's conduct dwelt much on her thoughts. That he was very particular in his eating, she had, by her own unassisted observation, already discovered; but why should he say one thing so positively, and mean another all the while, was most unaccountable. How were people, at that rate, to be understood?

Where other powers of entertainment are wanting, the true philosopher will derive benefit from such as are given.

To look almost pretty is an acquisition of higher delight to a girl who has been looking plain the first fifteen years of her life than a beauty from her cradle can ever receive.

Every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required.

You must really begin to harden yourself to the idea of being worth looking at.

The older a person grows, Harriet, the more important it is that their manners should not be bad; the more glaring and disgusting any loudness, or coarseness, or awkwardness becomes. What is passable in youth is detestable in later age.

My Emma, does not every thing serve to prove more and more the beauty of truth and sincerity in all our dealings with each other?