Best Jane Austen quotes

English darling of literature Jane Austen is best known for her novels, including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma. Her incredible writing is known for its humour, realism and irony and has been adored by readers around the globe since her untimely death aged 41 in 1887.

Austen's work has stood the test of time, and it continues to influence the literary landscape. For without Elizabeth Bennett, for instance, there could be no Bridget Jones. Austen's novels paved the way to the romantic comedy genre, while also managing to be biting in their social commentary.

While we would recommend anyone who has not yet done so to read her full works, for the meantime here are ten Austen quotes that capture her perfectly.

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

- Sense and Sensibility, 1811

“There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.”

- Emma, 1815

“Her own thoughts and reflections were habitually her best companions.”

- Mansfield Park, 1814

“Time will explain.”

- Persuasion, 1818

“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.”

- Pride and Prejudice, 1813

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

- Emma, 1815

“Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.”

- Mansfield Park, 1814

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

- Emma, 1815

“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.”

- Northanger Abbey, 1818

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

- Northanger Abbey, 1818

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

- Pride and Prejudice, 1813

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

- Mansfield Park, 1814

“Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.”

- Pride and Prejudice, 1813

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

- Pride and Prejudice, 1813

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

- Northanger Abbey, 1818