Jane Austen’s works have endured for centuries and have been republished countless times and reimagined as movies and TV shows. Her novels are celebrated for their wit, wisdom, and timeless reflections on human nature. Here are some of the most iconic and underrated quotes, with sources, chapters, and publication years included.
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
—Pride and Prejudice (1813), Chapter 1
There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.
—Emma (1815), Volume I, Chapter 18
Selfishness must always be forgiven, you know, because there is no hope of a cure.
—Mansfield Park (1814), Chapter 7
For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?
—Pride and Prejudice (1813), Chapter 57
A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.
—Pride and Prejudice (1813), Chapter 6
I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!
—Pride and Prejudice (1813), Chapter 11
To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.
—Pride and Prejudice (1813), Chapter 3
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.
—Northanger Abbey (1817), Volume I, Chapter 4
There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.
—Emma (1815), Volume II, Chapter 14
We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.
—Mansfield Park (1814), Chapter 42
One cannot have too large a party.
—Emma (1815), Volume III, Chapter 6
Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain.
—Pride and Prejudice (1813), Chapter 5
Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any human disclosure.
—Emma (1815), Volume III, Chapter 13
You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.
—Pride and Prejudice (1813), Chapter 34
Surprises are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.
—Emma (1815), Volume III, Chapter 15
Sources
- Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Project Gutenberg, 1996, www.gutenberg.org/files/1342/1342-h/1342-h.htm.
- Austen, Jane. Emma. Project Gutenberg, 1994, www.gutenberg.org/files/158/158-h/158-h.htm.
- Austen, Jane. Mansfield Park. Project Gutenberg, 1994, www.gutenberg.org/files/141/141-h/141-h.htm.
- Austen, Jane. Northanger Abbey. Internet Archive, 2009, archive.org/details/northangerabbey00austrich.
