Quotes from Jane Austen

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?

Men never know when things are dirty or not

How earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been more reasonable, more moderate!

It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do

There should be moderation in everything.

And are you prepared to encounter all the horrors that a building such as what one reads about may produce? Have you a stout heart? Nerves fit for sliding panels and tapestry?

More than seven years were gone since this little history of sorrowful interest had reached it's close; and time had softened down much, perhaps nearly all of peculiar attachment to him,- but she had been to dependent on time alone; no aid had been given in change of place, or in novelty or enlargement of society.- No one had ever come within the Kellynch circle, who could bear a comparison with Frederick Wentworth, as he stood in her memory.

There is one thing...which a man can always do, if he chuses[sic], and that is, his duty.

In his library he had been always sure of leisure and tranquility; and though prepared, as he told Elizabeth, to meet with folly and conceit in every other room in the house, he was used to be free from them there

Oh! not handsome—not at all handsome. I thought him very plain at first, but I do not think him so plain now. One does not, you know, after a time.

We must allow difference of taste.

Was it new for one, perhaps too busy to seek, to be the prize of a girl who would seek him?

Nothing can be changed by changing the face,but everything can be changed by facing the change!!Just think about it.  

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

She was his own Emma, by hand and word

She read all such works as heroines must read to supply their memories with those quotations which are so serviceable and so soothing in the vicissitudes of their eventful lives.

I wish with all my soul his wife may plague his heart out.

Sí; la vanidad es, en efecto, una debilidad. Pero en cuanto al orgullo, donde se dé verdadera superioridad de espíritu, estará siempre justificado.

Banii pot aduce fericire numai acolo unde n-o poate aduce nimic altceva. In afara de anumite inlesniri, banii nu pot oferi bucurii adevarate

Married women, you know, may be safely authorised. It is my party. Leave it all to me. I will invite your guests. No, he calmly replied, there is but one married woman in the world whom I can ever allow to invite what guests she pleases to Donwell, and that one is- Mrs. Weston, I suppose, interrupted Mrs. Elton, rather mortified. No, Mrs. Knightley; and, till she is in being, I will manage such matters myself.

What is his name?

What! are you never to hear yourself praised! Then you must be no friend of mine; for those who will accept of my love and esteem, must submit to my open commendation.

it is very worthwhile to be tormented for two or three years of one's life, for the sake of being able to read all the rest of it.

If a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him.