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100 Enligtening Quotes By Jane Austen That Can Teach Us About Life

Famous As: English Author Best Known for Her Novels: ‘Sense and Sensibility’, ‘Pride and Prejudice’, ‘Mansfield Park’ and ‘Emma’
Born On: December 16, 1775
Died On: July 18, 1817
Born In: Steventon, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom
Died At Age: 41

Jane Austen is the author of famous books like Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Sense and Sensibility. The English novelist sculpted characters who were non-conformists to the norms of the society much like her. When other women of her age would get married and settle down, Austen decided to pursue her passion. Her readers must be thankful that she opted out of the mediocre life of handling household chores. But did you know that she almost gave in to the temptation of the stability that marriage had to offer. It was just weeks before Jane turned 27 that their family friend Harris Bigg-Wither proposed her. Though Harris was younger to her and had an awkward demeanor, Austen agreed. She saw the marriage as a convenient means of helping her parents and her choice was also weighed down by the fact that the Withers were longtime acquaintances. However, better sense prevailed and she made up her mind that marriage was not her cup of tea. Commenting on marriage, in a letter to her niece Austen wrote, "nothing can be compared to the misery of being bound without Love."

Here is a collection of inspirational quotes by the famous English writer, Jane Austen.

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

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

Jane Austen
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.

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

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

Jane Austen
I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.

I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.

Jane Austen
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.

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

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

Jane Austen
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!

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!

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

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
Angry people are not always wise.

Angry people are not always wise.

Jane Austen
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.

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
But for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short.

But for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short.

Jane Austen
You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope...I have loved none but you.

You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope...I have loved none but you.

Jane Austen
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.

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
What are men to rocks and mountains?

What are men to rocks and mountains?

Jane Austen
Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.

Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.

Jane Austen
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.

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
I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.

I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.

Jane Austen
The Very first moment I beheld him, my heart was irrevocably gone.

The Very first moment I beheld him, my heart was irrevocably gone.

Jane Austen
I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve.

I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve.

Jane Austen
Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.

Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.

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

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

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

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

Jane Austen
Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion.

Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion.

Jane Austen
When I fall in love, it will be forever.

When I fall in love, it will be forever.

Jane Austen
I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control.

I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control.

Jane Austen
I have not the pleasure of understanding you.

I have not the pleasure of understanding you.

Jane Austen
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.

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

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

Jane Austen
I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh.

I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh.

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

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

Jane Austen
I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other.

I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other.

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

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

Jane Austen
You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.

You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.

Jane Austen
We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man; but this would be nothing if you really liked him.

We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man; but this would be nothing if you really liked him.

Jane Austen
Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.

Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.

Jane Austen
Nothing ever fatigues me, but doing what I do not like.

Nothing ever fatigues me, but doing what I do not like.

Jane Austen
If I could but know his heart, everything would become easy.

If I could but know his heart, everything would become easy.

Jane Austen
A girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then.
It is something to think of

A girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then. It is something to think of

Jane Austen
Till this moment I never knew myself.

Till this moment I never knew myself.

Jane Austen
He is a gentleman, and I am a gentleman's daughter. So far we are equal.

He is a gentleman, and I am a gentleman's daughter. So far we are equal.

Jane Austen
What strange creatures brothers are!

What strange creatures brothers are!

Jane Austen
We are all fools in love

We are all fools in love

Jane Austen
My good opinion once lost is lost forever.

My good opinion once lost is lost forever.

Jane Austen
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.

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
Our scars make us know that our past was for real

Our scars make us know that our past was for real

Jane Austen
Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her.

Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her.

Jane Austen
There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison

There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison

Jane Austen
Run mad as often as you choose, but do not faint!

Run mad as often as you choose, but do not faint!

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

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

Jane Austen
Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience- or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.

Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience- or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.

Jane Austen
The distance is nothing when one has a motive.

The distance is nothing when one has a motive.

Jane Austen
Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.

Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.

Jane Austen
Oh, Lizzy! do anything rather than marry without affection.

Oh, Lizzy! do anything rather than marry without affection.

Jane Austen
She was sensible and clever, but eager in everything; her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation.

She was sensible and clever, but eager in everything; her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation.

Jane Austen
Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.

Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.

Jane Austen
I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way.

I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way.

Jane Austen
Stupid men are the only ones worth knowing after all.

Stupid men are the only ones worth knowing after all.

Jane Austen
You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

-Mr. Darcy

You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. -Mr. Darcy

Jane Austen
Which of all my important nothings shall I tell you first?

Which of all my important nothings shall I tell you first?

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

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

Jane Austen
She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.

She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.

Jane Austen
It is not everyone,' said Elinor, 'who has your passion for dead leaves.

It is not everyone,' said Elinor, 'who has your passion for dead leaves.

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

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

Jane Austen
How quick come the reasons for approving what we like.

How quick come the reasons for approving what we like.

Jane Austen
All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one: you need not covet it), is that of loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone!

All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one: you need not covet it), is that of loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone!

Jane Austen
It's been many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable.

It's been many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable.

Jane Austen
Better be without sense than misapply it as you do.

Better be without sense than misapply it as you do.

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

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

Jane Austen
Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly.

Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly.

Jane Austen
I am excessively diverted.

I am excessively diverted.

Jane Austen
A man does not recover from such devotion of the heart to such a woman! He ought not; he does not.

A man does not recover from such devotion of the heart to such a woman! He ought not; he does not.

Jane Austen
Without music, life would be a blank to me.

Without music, life would be a blank to me.

Jane Austen
I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.

I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.

Jane Austen
There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.

There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.

Jane Austen
...when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.

...when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.

Jane Austen
Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.

Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.

Jane Austen
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.

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.

Jane Austen
I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.

I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.

Jane Austen
But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.

But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.

Jane Austen
Time will explain.

Time will explain.

Jane Austen
You must be the best judge of your own happiness.

You must be the best judge of your own happiness.

Jane Austen
She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! Alas! She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.

She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! Alas! She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.

Jane Austen
I will be calm. I will be mistress of myself.

I will be calm. I will be mistress of myself.

Jane Austen
Men of sense, whatever you may choose to say, do not want silly wives.

Men of sense, whatever you may choose to say, do not want silly wives.

Jane Austen
She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should meet.

She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should meet.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jane Austen
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.

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
Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from her heart.

Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from her heart.

Jane Austen
Do not give way to useless alarm; though it is right to be prepared for the worst, there is no occasion to look on it as certain.

Do not give way to useless alarm; though it is right to be prepared for the worst, there is no occasion to look on it as certain.

Jane Austen
Elinor agreed to it all, for she did not think he deserved the compliment of rational opposition.

Elinor agreed to it all, for she did not think he deserved the compliment of rational opposition.

Jane Austen
Now be sincere; did you admire me for my impertinence?

Now be sincere; did you admire me for my impertinence?" "For the liveliness of your mind, I did.

Jane Austen
Nothing is more deceitful,

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

Jane Austen
They walked on, without knowing in what direction. There was too much to be thought, and felt, and said, for attention to any other objects.

They walked on, without knowing in what direction. There was too much to be thought, and felt, and said, for attention to any other objects.

Jane Austen
Men were put into the world to teach women the law of compromise.

Men were put into the world to teach women the law of compromise.

Jane Austen
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?

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
Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing; but I have never been in love ; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall.

Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing; but I have never been in love ; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall.

Jane Austen
Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?

Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?

Jane Austen