Quotes from Jane Austen

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.

The wisest and the best of men, nay, the wisest and best of their actions, may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke.

If there is any thing disagreeable going on, men are always sure to get out of it.

To take a dislike to a young man, only because he appeared to be of a different disposition from himself, was unworthy the real liberality of mind

A man would always wish to give a woman a better home than the one he takes her from; and he who can do it, where there is no doubt of her regard, must, I think, be the happiest of mortals.

You men have none of you any hearts.' 'If we have not hearts, we have eyes; and they give us torment enough.

He is also handsome," replied Elizabeth, "which a young man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete.

I have never yet found that the advice of a Sister could prevent a young Man's being in love if he chose it.

Heaven forbid! -- That would be the greatest misfortune of all! -- To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! -- Do not wish me such an evil.

And we mean to treat you all,' added Lydia, 'but you must lend us the money, for we have just spent ours at the shop out there.

Nay," cried Bingley, "this is too much, to remember at night all the foolish things that were said in the morning.

A sick child is always the mother's property; her own feelings generally make it so.

I have had to contend against the unkindness of his sister, and the insolence of his mother; and have suffered the punishment of an attachment, without enjoying its advantages.

I will not allow it to be more man's nature than woman's to be inconstant.

To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.

Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience- or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.

Grant us peace, Almighty Father, so to pray as to deserve to be heard.

From politics it was an easy step to silence.

I will only add, God bless you.

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.

Family connexions were always worth preserving, good company always worth seeking.

But there are some situations of the human mind in which good sense has very little power.

the Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome, hopeless son, and the good fortune to lose him before he reached his twentieth year.

Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. It is not fair. He has fame and profit enough as a poet, and should not be taking the bread out of the mouths of other people.