Jane Austen Quotes

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About Jane Austen

Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist known for her incisive wit, social commentary, and profound exploration of love and marriage in Regency England. Born into a family of modest means, Austen spent most of her life in the small town of Steventon, Hampshire, where she gained insights into the intricacies of human nature that would later inform her novels. At the age of 25, Austen published her first novel, "Sense and Sensibility" (1811), under a pseudonym due to doubts about its success in a male-dominated publishing world. The story follows the Dashwood sisters as they navigate society's expectations and learn valuable lessons about prudence and self-reliance. Following the publication of "Sense and Sensibility," Austen wrote three more novels – "Pride and Prejudice" (1813), "Mansfield Park" (1814), and "Emma" (1815) – all featuring strong, independent heroines who must navigate society's rigid rules to find love and self-realization. These works remain among her most beloved today. Despite the modest success of her novels during her lifetime, Austen's sharp social commentary and keen insights into human nature have made her one of England's most celebrated authors. Her unique blend of humor, wisdom, and deep emotional insight has captivated readers for over two centuries. Austen died at the young age of 41, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and enthrall audiences worldwide. Her timeless works continue to be adapted for stage, screen, and modern reinterpretations, securing her place as one of the greatest authors in the English literary canon.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

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

This quote by Jane Austen emphasizes that actions speak louder than words or thoughts in defining a person's character. In other words, the true measure of a person is not found in their intentions or statements, but in the deeds they perform and the impact those actions have on others. By doing, one demonstrates integrity, values, and commitments in a way that mere words or thoughts cannot convey.

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."

Jane Austen's quote "There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort" suggests that the true warmth and relaxation one experiences often comes from the familiarity, safety, and peace found in one's own home. It emphasizes the significance of family, personal space, and a sense of belonging, implying that these elements can bring a level of contentment and satisfaction unequaled elsewhere.

"I hope I never ridicule what is wise or feel disdain for what is right."

This quote emphasizes a respectful and open-minded attitude towards wisdom and righteousness, encouraging one to appreciate the value in these qualities rather than dismissing them based on personal opinions or prejudices. It advocates for humility, understanding, and the pursuit of knowledge.

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."

This quote by Jane Austen emphasizes the delight and enjoyment that one should derive from reading a good book, regardless of whether the reader is male or female. She suggests that a lack of appreciation for novels could indicate a lack of intellectual curiosity or sophistication. The quote underscores the value that literature holds in enriching one's mind and life experiences, encouraging a love of reading and learning among her audience.

"You have neither the time nor the power to make me love you."

This quote suggests a strong emotional independence from the speaker, indicating that she is beyond the influence or coercion of another's feelings towards her. It underscores her self-awareness and assertiveness, as she communicates that her affection cannot be manipulated or forced by external power or time constraints.

In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels.

- Jane Austen

Woman, Nine, Feels, Cases

A single woman with a very narrow income must be a ridiculous, disagreeable old maid - the proper sport of boys and girls; but a single woman of good fortune is always respectable, and may be as sensible and pleasant as anybody else.

- Jane Austen

Woman, Income, Very, Respectable

Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor. Which is one very strong argument in favor of matrimony.

- Jane Austen

Women, Very, Which, Propensity

I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.

- Jane Austen

Want, Deal, Very, Agreeable

An engaged woman is always more agreeable than a disengaged. She is satisfied with herself. Her cares are over, and she feels that she may exert all her powers of pleasing without suspicion. All is safe with a lady engaged; no harm can be done.

- Jane Austen

Woman, Engaged, Feels, Agreeable

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

- Jane Austen

Dress, Times, Distinction, Frivolous

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.

- Jane Austen

Woman, Will, Like, Former

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

- Jane Austen

How, Sure, Imaginations, Dear

Give a girl an education and introduce her properly into the world, and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody.

- Jane Austen

Education, Give, Means, Introduce

There is safety in reserve, but no attraction. One cannot love a reserved person.

- Jane Austen

Love, Attraction, Reserved, Reserve

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.

- Jane Austen

Reason, United, Resist, Attraction

It is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are they the result of previous study?

- Jane Austen

Study, May, Proceed, Pleasing

Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then.

- Jane Austen

Love, Now, Next, Now And Then

One cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.

- Jane Austen

Now, Always, Stumbling, Now And Then

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.

- Jane Austen

Woman, Happiest, I Think, Mortals

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

- Jane Austen

Enhanced, Considerable, Foolish

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

- Jane Austen

Working, Head, Mischief, Produces

A mind lively and at ease, can do with seeing nothing, and can see nothing that does not answer.

- Jane Austen

Mind, See, Ease, Lively

I am afraid that the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety.

- Jane Austen

I Am, Always, Propriety, Employment

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.

- Jane Austen

Deal, Idea, Great Deal, Well-Informed

I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.

- Jane Austen

Well, Cannot, Well Enough, Unintelligible

Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery.

- Jane Austen

Guilt, Other, Misery, Pens

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

- Jane Austen

Nature, Most, Fine Day, Sit

Good-humoured, unaffected girls, will not do for a man who has been used to sensible women. They are two distinct orders of being.

- Jane Austen

Will, Been, Distinct, Sensible

The power of doing anything with quickness is always prized much by the possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of the performance.

- Jane Austen

Doing, Always, Prized, Imperfection

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.

- Jane Austen

Bread, Other, Not Fair, Scott

Selfishness must always be forgiven you know, because there is no hope of a cure.

- Jane Austen

Forgiveness, Know, Always, Selfishness

Business, you know, may bring you money, but friendship hardly ever does.

- Jane Austen

Friendship, Business, Ever, Hardly

My sore throats are always worse than anyone's.

- Jane Austen

Always, Than, Anyone, Sore

Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.

- Jane Austen

Love, Moving On, Certainly, Balm

Respect for right conduct is felt by every body.

- Jane Austen

Right, Conduct, Felt, Right Conduct

Every man is surrounded by a neighborhood of voluntary spies.

- Jane Austen

Surrounded, Spies, Every Man, Neighborhood

Oh! do not attack me with your watch. A watch is always too fast or too slow. I cannot be dictated to by a watch.

- Jane Austen

Slow, Fast, Always, Dictated

Every savage can dance.

- Jane Austen

Dance, Every, Savage

Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity, to what we would have others think of us.

- Jane Austen

Vanity, Used, Relates, Different Things

To look almost pretty is an acquisition of higher delight to a girl who has been looking plain for the first fifteen years of her life than a beauty from her cradle can ever receive.

- Jane Austen

Pretty, Fifteen, Receive, Delight

I could not sit down to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life.

- Jane Austen

My Life, Other, Romance, Sit

For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors and laugh at them in our turn?

- Jane Austen

Turn, Neighbors, Them, Laugh

General benevolence, but not general friendship, made a man what he ought to be.

- Jane Austen

Friendship, Made, General, Ought

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.

- Jane Austen

Rest, Will, Found, Ought

Those who do not complain are never pitied.

- Jane Austen

Never, Complain, Those, Pitied

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

- Jane Austen

Nature, Been, Given, Pitied

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

- Jane Austen

Marriage, Wife, Fortune, Good Fortune

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.

- Jane Austen

Happen, Very, Disclosure, Disguised

The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.

- Jane Austen

Stupid, Pleasure, Person, Novel

We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.

- Jane Austen

Better, Other, Would, Guide

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.

- Jane Austen

Nature, Young, Sure, Kindly

To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.

- Jane Austen

Love, Dancing, Falling, Fond

Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.

- Jane Austen

Marriage, Happiness, Chance, Entirely

Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.

- Jane Austen

Humility, More, Indirect, Carelessness

A person who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write ill.

- Jane Austen

Person, Ease, Ill, Letter

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

- Jane Austen

Practice, My Life, Been, All My Life

If things are going untowardly one month, they are sure to mend the next.

- Jane Austen

Month, Next, Sure, Mend

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.

- Jane Austen

Been, Allow, Telling, Pen

It is very difficult for the prosperous to be humble.

- Jane Austen

Humble, Be Humble, Very, Prosperous

A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.

- Jane Austen

Love, Admiration, Very, To Love

Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.

- Jane Austen

Past, Think, Remembrance, Gives

Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain.

- Jane Austen

Opposition, Will, Vain, Wives

There is something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general opinions.

- Jane Austen

Mind, Give, Prejudices, Amiable

To flatter and follow others, without being flattered and followed in turn, is but a state of half enjoyment.

- Jane Austen

Enjoyment, Flattered, Half, Followed

An artist cannot do anything slovenly.

- Jane Austen

Artist, Anything, Cannot, Slovenly

One does not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has been all suffering, nothing but suffering.

- Jane Austen

Love, Been, Having, Suffered

Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.

- Jane Austen

Busy, Succession, Quick, Seems

It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before.

- Jane Austen

Woman, She, Before, Happens

Where an opinion is general, it is usually correct.

- Jane Austen

General, Where, Correct, Opinion

From politics, it was an easy step to silence.

- Jane Austen

Silence, Step, Politics, Easy

A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.

- Jane Austen

Happiness, Income, Ever, Heard

The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love.

- Jane Austen

Love, More, Shall, Whom

There is not one in a hundred of either sex who is not taken in when they marry.

- Jane Austen

Sex, Either, Hundred, Taken

I would have everybody marry if they can do it properly: I do not like to have people throw themselves away; but everybody should marry as soon as they can do it to advantage.

- Jane Austen

Away, Like, Everybody, Throw

There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.

- Jane Austen

Romantic, Tenderness, Equal, Charm

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

- Jane Austen

Always, Offer, Ever, Refuse

How quick come the reasons for approving what we like!

- Jane Austen

How, Quick, Reasons, Approving

If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.

- Jane Austen

Loved, More, Might, Less

There are people, who the more you do for them, the less they will do for themselves.

- Jane Austen

Will, More, Themselves, Less

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

- Jane Austen

World, Other, Half, Pleasures

Nobody minds having what is too good for them.

- Jane Austen

Good, Minds, Having, Nobody

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

- Jane Austen

Woman, She, Conceal, Knowing

Is not general incivility the very essence of love?

- Jane Austen

Love, General, Very, Essence

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

- Jane Austen

Another, Rule, Must, Style

No man is offended by another man's admiration of the woman he loves; it is the woman only who can make it a torment.

- Jane Austen

Woman, Admiration, Torment, Offended

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

- Jane Austen

Best, Look, Morality, Cities

Nobody, who has not been in the interior of a family, can say what the difficulties of any individual of that family may be.

- Jane Austen

Individual, Been, May, Interior

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.

- Jane Austen

Home, Nothing, Like, Comfort

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

- Jane Austen

Right, Done, Too, Cannot

There are certainly not so many men of large fortune in the world, as there are pretty women to deserve them.

- Jane Austen

Deserve, Pretty, Certainly, Large

One man's ways may be as good as another's, but we all like our own best.

- Jane Austen

Like, May, Another, Ways

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