English novelist (1775-1817)
There certainly are not so many men of large fortune in the world as there are pretty women to deserve them.
JANE AUSTEN
Mansfield Park
It is only a novel ... or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language.
JANE AUSTEN
Northanger Abbey
Surprises are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.
JANE AUSTEN
Emma
It is very difficult for the prosperous to be humble.
JANE AUSTEN
Emma
Another stupid party last night; perhaps if larger they might be less intolerable, but here there were only just enough to make one card-table, with six people to look on and talk nonsense to each other.
JANE AUSTEN
letter to Cassandra Austen, May 12, 1801
It is well to have as many holds upon happiness as possible.
JANE AUSTEN
Northanger Abbey
I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.
JANE AUSTEN
letter to Cassandra Austen, Dec. 24, 1798
We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.
JANE AUSTEN
Mansfield Park
How wonderful, how very wonderful the operations of time, and the changes of the human mind!
JANE AUSTEN
Mansfield Park