1,664 Quotes by Jane Austen

You are too generous to trifle with me.

The promise, therefore, was given, and must be performed.

Elinor...whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding and coolness of judgment...her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she knew how to govern them.

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.

But we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the wounded bosoms of each other the balm of sisterly consolation.

Every young lady may feel for my heroine in this critical moment, for every young lady has at some time or other known the same agitation. All have been, or at least all have believed themselves to be, in danger from the pursuit of some one they wished to avoid; and all have been anxious for the attentions of someone they wished to please.

Remember," cried Willoughby, "from whom you received the account. Could it be an impartial one? I acknowledge that her situation and character ought to have been respected by me. I do not mean to justify myself, but at the same time cannot leave you to suppose that I have nothing to urge--that because she was injured, she was irreproachable, and because I was a libertine, she must be a saint...

No, no," cried Marianne, "misery such as mine has no pride. I care not who knows that I am wretched. The triumph of seeing me so may be open to all the world. Elinor, Elinor, they who suffer little may be proud and independent as they like-may resist insult, or return mortification-but I cannot. I must feel-I must be wretched-and they are welcome to enjoy the consciousness of it that can.

But now you love a hyacinth. So much the better. You have gained a new source of enjoyment, and it is well to have as many holds upon happiness as possible.