Jane Austen

Till this moment I never knew myself.

I certainly have not the talent which some people possess," said Darcy, "of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.

I might as well enquire,” replied she, “why with so evident a design of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character?

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

Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting situations, that a young person, who either marries or dies, is sure of being kindly spoken of.

Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story. Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has been in their hands. I will not allow books to prove anything.

Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any human disclosure; seldom can it happen that something is not a little disguised, or a little mistaken.

Where youth and diffidence are united, it requires uncommon steadiness of reason to resist the attraction of being called the most charming girl in the world.

Dress is at all times a frivolous distinction, and excessive solicitude about it often destroys its own aim.

They are much to be pitied who have not been given a taste for nature early in life.

Nobody minds having what is too good for them.

Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief.

One man's style must not be the rule of another's.

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.

What is right to be done cannot be done too soon.

I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle.

Woman is fine for her own satisfaction alone. No man will admire her the more, no woman will like her the better for it. Neatness and fashion are enough for the former, and a something of shabbiness or impropriety will be most endearing to the latter.

We do not look in great cities for our best morality.

One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.

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

How quick come the reasons for approving what we like!