Jane Austen

Novelist

Jane Austen was an English novelist known for her keen social commentary and exploration of love, particularly in her influential works like 'Pride and Prejudice.'

Born
December 16, 1775
Died
July 18, 1817
Quotes
782
Rank
#27

About Jane Austen

Jane Austen — Life and Legacy

Jane Austen, an English novelist of the early 19th century, is celebrated for her insightful exploration of love, class, and societal expectations. Her major works, including 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Sense and Sensibility,' showcase her sharp wit and keen observations of the human condition. Austen's writing often reflects her belief that true character is revealed through actions, as encapsulated in her quote, 'It is not what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.' This perspective highlights her critique of societal norms, particularly regarding marriage, where she challenges the notion that economic stability should dictate personal happiness. Austen's characters navigate a world where social status heavily influences their choices, revealing her deep understanding of the constraints placed on women in her time. In 'Emma,' for example, she critiques the limitations of class and the folly of matchmaking, emphasizing that genuine emotion should guide relationships rather than mere social ambition. Her quote, 'There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart,' further illustrates her belief in the importance of compassion and emotional depth. Today, Austen's quotes and ideas continue to resonate, as they address universal themes of love and personal integrity, making her work timeless and relevant. Her ability to capture the complexities of human relationships and societal pressures ensures that her insights remain impactful for readers across generations.

Quote collection

Jane Austen quotes (page 1 of 40)

782 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

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

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"There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature."

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

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"Our scars make us know that our past was for real"

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"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."

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"An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do."

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"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."

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

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"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."

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

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

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"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."

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"I come here with no expectations, only to profess, now that I am at liberty to do so, that my heart is and always will be yours."

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"Now I must give one smirk and then we may be rational again"

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"Mr. Collins is a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man; you know he is, as well as I do; and you must feel, as well as I do, that the woman who married him cannot have a proper way of thinking."

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"Well, my dear," said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note aloud, "if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness—if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders."

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