Quotes from Jane Austen

There is a monsterous deal of stupid quizzing, & common-place nonsense talked, but scarcely any wit.

Run mad as often as you choose but do not faint

What wild imaginations one forms where dear self is concerned! How sure to be mistaken!

To her own heart it was a delightful affair, to her imagination it was even a ridiculous one, but to her reason, her judgment, it was completely a puzzle.

But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.

Sometimes one is guided by what they say of themselves, and very frequently by what other people say of them, without giving oneself time to deliberate and judge.

Why not seize the pleasure at once, how often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparations.

It is always incomprehensible to a man that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage.

The younger brother must help to pay for the pleasures of the elder.

There is not the hundredth part of the wine consumed in this kingdom that there ought to be. Our foggy climate wants help

Friendship is the finest balm for the pangs of despised love.

In every power, of which taste is the foundation, excellence is pretty fairly divided among the sexes.

We have been exceedingly busy ever since you went away. In the first place we have had to rejoice two or three times everyday at your having such very delightful weather for the whole of your journey...

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.

A very short trial convinced her that a curricle was the prettiest equipage in the world.

It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies, could they be made to understand how little the heart of man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire.

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

Surprizes are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.

It will, I believe, be everywhere found, that as the clergy are, or are not what they ought to be, so are the rest of the nation.

"I shall soon be rested," said Fanny; "to sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure, is the most perfect refreshment."

I speak what appears to me the general opinion; and where an opinion is general, it is usually correct.

What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps one in a continual state of inelegance.

Why not seize pleasure at once? How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!

I do not think I ever opened a book in my life which had not something to say upon woman's inconstancy. Songs and proverbs, all talk of woman's fickleness. But perhaps you will say, these were all written by men.