Introduction
In the annals of literature, few names are as revered as that of Jane Austen. Over two centuries after her death, Austen’s novels continue to captivate readers with their combination of wit, wisdom, and piercing social commentary. Her quotes, brimming with astute observations on life, love, and human nature, resonate as powerfully today as they did in the Regency era. This blog post delves into 20 thematic categories of Austen’s quotes, offering a glimpse into the breadth and depth of her literary brilliance. Whether you’re a long-standing Austen fan or new to her works, these quotes promise a journey through the timeless wisdom of one of literature’s greatest minds.
“Most Famous Jane Austen Quotes”
Jane Austen, an iconic author, left us with a treasure trove of memorable quotes. These renowned quotations echo through the ages, and continue to be relevant and adored by readers worldwide. They resonate with the values, struggles, and aspirations of her characters and still resonate with audiences today.
“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, Pride and Prejudice
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!”
“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
“To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.”
“We are all fools in love.”
“Jane Austen Quotes About Love”
Love, in all its complexity, is a prominent theme in Jane Austen’s works. Her insightful love quotes reflect a range of emotions, from the thrill of first attraction to the contentment found in lasting affection. They shed light on the emotional depths of her characters, and serve as timeless reminders of the enduring nature of love.
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope… I have loved none but you.”
“There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison.”
“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.”
“Jane Austen Quotes About Life”
Jane Austen’s quotes about life provide profound insights into human nature, society, and morality. Her astute observations, portrayed through her characters, offer a thoughtful exploration of life’s complexities.
“Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.” – Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
“It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.”
“There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.”
“One man’s style must not be the rule of another’s.”
“Every moment has its pleasures and its hope.”
“Jane Austen Quotes About Friendship”
Friendship holds a pivotal place in Austen’s works. Her quotations on this theme reveal the value of true companionship, loyalty, and the transformative power of enduring relationships.
“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.” – Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
“Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.”
“We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat; they do not exist.”
“A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.”
“It is not every man’s fate to marry the woman who loves him best.”
“Jane Austen Quotes Feminism”
Jane Austen subtly raised questions about the role and status of women in her time through her novels. Her quotes on this theme reflect her progressive and feminist mindset, underlining the importance of a woman’s independence, intellect, and strength.
“I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.” – Jane Austen, Persuasion
“A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can.”
“I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.”
“One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.”
“I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other.”
“Jane Austen Quotes About Happiness”
Austen’s quotes about happiness highlight the diverse paths to contentment and joy her characters undertake. They capture moments of joy, comfort, and contentment, reminding us of the myriad ways happiness manifests itself.
“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” – Jane Austen, Emma
“One cannot have too large a party. A large party secures its own amusement.”
“Those who do not complain are never pitied.”
“Nobody minds having what is too good for them.”
“I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but like everybody else, it must be in my own way.”
“Jane Austen Quotes Pride and Prejudice”
Pride and Prejudice, arguably Austen’s most famous novel, is a treasure trove of memorable quotes. They explore themes of love, class, reputation, and individuality, painting a vivid picture of society in the Regency era.
“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“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.”
“You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.”
“My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”
“Angry people are not always wise.”
“Jane Austen Quotes Persuasion”
Persuasion offers an intimate look at regret, second chances, and enduring love. Austen’s quotes from this novel touch upon the depth of human emotions and the power of conviction.
“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul.” – Jane Austen, Persuasion
“She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.”
“We live at home, quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us.”
“One man’s ways may be as good as another’s, but we all like our own best.”
“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.”
“Emma Jane Austen Quotes”
Emma stands out for its spirited heroine and insightful social commentary. The novel’s quotes reflect Austen’s wit, wisdom, and her understanding of human nature.
“One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.” – Jane Austen, Emma
“There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.”
“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”
“Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief.”
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”
“Best Jane Austen Quotes”
Jane Austen has gifted us some of the best quotes in literature, resonating with readers across centuries. These best quotes embody the essence of her storytelling, weaving intricate narratives with timeless wisdom.
“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
“I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.”
“A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can.”
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!”
“Romantic Jane Austen Quotes”
Jane Austen’s romantic quotes have captured the hearts of readers for centuries. Her depictions of love – both its triumphs and tribulations – are elegantly articulated in her narratives, often leaving a lasting impression.
“You have bewitched me body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope…I have loved none but you.”
“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.”
“Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death.”
“Inspirational Jane Austen Quotes”
Jane Austen’s inspirational quotes provide valuable lessons on love, life, and the pursuit of happiness. Her wisdom, captured in her novels, continues to inspire readers and influence popular culture.
“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” – Jane Austen, Emma
“I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them.”
“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.”
“We are all fools in love.”
“I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures.”
“Feminist Jane Austen Quotes”
Jane Austen, a pioneering woman of letters, made significant contributions to feminist thought through her novels. Her quotes on women’s independence, intelligence, and strength showcase her feminist leanings, although subtly presented in the norms of her time.
“I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.” – Jane Austen, Persuasion
“I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures.”
“A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can.”
“None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.”
“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.”
“Jane Austen Quotes About Books”
Jane Austen’s quotes about books are a testament to her love for literature. They highlight the importance of reading in character development, self-discovery, and personal growth.
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
“But for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short.”
“I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”
“I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these.”
“Short Jane Austen Quotes”
Jane Austen’s short quotes may be brief, but they pack a powerful punch. These succinct insights encapsulate Austen’s wit, wisdom, and keen understanding of human nature.
“We are all fools in love.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“Funny Jane Austen Quotes”
Jane Austen’s humorous quotes often reflect her sharp wit and keen social observation. They bring moments of levity to her narratives, offering comic relief and highlighting her ability to use humor as a critique of societal norms.
“I have not the pleasure of understanding you.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?”
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
“I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them.”
“It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before.”
“Persuasion Jane Austen Quotes”
In “Persuasion”, Austen explores the themes of second chances, steadfast love, and personal growth. Quotes from this novel serve as beautiful expressions of these themes, each one offering a glimpse into the poignant narrative that Austen masterfully weaves.
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope…I have loved none but you.” – Jane Austen, Persuasion
“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul.”
“We live at home, quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us.”
“One man’s ways may be as good as another’s, but we all like our own best.”
“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 offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago.”
“Short Jane Austen Quotes”
Austen’s shorter quotes are just as impactful as her longer passages. These concise expressions encapsulate universal truths about love, life, and human nature, exhibiting Austen’s literary genius in bite-sized pieces.
“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” – Jane Austen, Emma
“We are all fools in love.”
“There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.”
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!”
“Vanity and pride are different things.”
“Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.”
“Funny Jane Austen Quotes”
Humor is a significant element in Austen’s novels, used both for comic relief and as a form of social critique. Her witty quotes reveal her unique sense of humor, her keen observations on society, and her astute understanding of human nature.
“I have not the pleasure of understanding you.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?”
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
“I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them.”
“It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before.”
Other Jane Austen Quotes
These quotes cover a variety of themes such as self-awareness, human folly, happiness, hope, and the nuances of social interactions.
“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“What are men to rocks and mountains?” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.” – Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
“There are people, who the more you do for them, the less they will do for themselves.” – Jane Austen, Emma
“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, Persuasion
“A fondness for reading, properly directed, must be an education in itself.” – Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
“The distance is nothing when one has a motive.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“It is always incomprehensible to a man that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage.” – Jane Austen, Emma
“She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.” – Jane Austen, Persuasion
“It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy; it is disposition alone. Seven years would be insufficient to make some people acquainted with each other, and seven days are more than enough for others.” – Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
“Selfishness must always be forgiven, you know, because there is no hope of a cure.” – Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
“Our scars make us know that our past was for real.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“Run mad as often as you choose, but do not faint.” – Jane Austen, Love and Friendship
“I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them.” – Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
“Every moment has its pleasures and its hope.” – Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
“A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can.” – Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
“A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.” – Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
“Nobody minds having what is too good for them.” – Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
“We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.” – Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
Conclusion
Through the exploration of these themes, we have journeyed into the heart of Jane Austen’s enduring wisdom. Her quotes transcend time and cultural boundaries, reflecting universal truths about life, love, and the human condition. They serve as reminders of Austen’s literary genius, her unique ability to portray the complexities of her characters, and her insightful commentary on societal norms. Whether they make us laugh, provoke thought, or tug at our heartstrings, these quotes reaffirm Austen’s standing as an iconic voice in literature. In the words of Austen herself, “The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” This rings particularly true for her own works, which continue to offer us enjoyment, comfort, and invaluable insights into the fabric of human life.
