Jane Austen’s novels are known for their timeless wit, insight into human behavior, and unforgettable dialogue. Over 200 years later, her words still resonate, full of humor, heartbreak, and hard-earned wisdom. In this post, I highlight, in my opinion, the top 5 favorite quotes from each of her major novels. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, these lines showcase why Austen remains one of literature’s most beloved voices.
🕊 Pride and Prejudice
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“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
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“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.”
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“You have bewitched me body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you.”
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“My good opinion once lost is lost forever.”
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“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!”
🌿 Sense and Sensibility
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“The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!”
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“Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience—or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.”
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“If I could but know his heart, everything would become easy.”
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“To wish was to hope, and to hope was to expect.”
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“I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way.”
🏡 Mansfield Park
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“Selfishness must always be forgiven, you know, because there is no hope of a cure.”
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“A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.”
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“Here’s what may tranquilize every care, and lift the heart to rapture!”
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“I cannot think well of a man who sports with any woman’s feelings.”
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“There will be little rubs and disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much...”
🎀 Emma
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“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”
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“Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.”
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“The real evils, indeed, of Emma’s situation were the power of having rather too much her own way...”
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“It is very difficult for the prosperous to be humble.”
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“There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.”
🏰 Northanger Abbey
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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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“Beware how you give your heart.”
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“Where people are really attached, poverty itself is wealth.”
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“Miss Morland, no one can think more highly of the understanding of women than I do.”
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“I assure you. I have no notion of treating men with such respect. That is the way to spoil them.”
🌊 Persuasion
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“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you... You pierce my soul.”
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“She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older.”
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“Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story.”
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“There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison.”
- “Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death.”
✒️ Conclusion
Jane Austen’s words continue to enchant, provoke, and inspire more than two centuries after they were first penned. Each quote I featured here is more than just a clever turn of phrase; it's a window into the heart of Austen's characters and the world she so brilliantly observed. Whether you're revisiting an old favorite or discovering a new one, these lines remind us why Austen remains a literary icon. Her wit endures, her insight cuts deep, and her truths about love, society, and self are as relevant today as ever.
💬 FAQs
1. What makes Jane Austen’s quotes so popular?
Her quotes blend humor, social critique, and emotional truth, making them timeless and relatable.
2. Which Jane Austen book is the most quotable?
Pride and Prejudice is often considered the most quotable due to its sharp dialogue and iconic lines.
3. Are these quotes suitable for modern audiences?
Absolutely. Many Austen quotes still resonate today, often used in modern adaptations and social commentary.
4. What themes are most common in these quotes?
Love, social status, self-knowledge, and personal integrity frequently emerge as central themes.
5. Where can I find more Austen quotes?
Check literary sites like Goodreads, LitJoy, and SparkNotes, or explore Austen’s full novels for context.