Jane Austen, Emma Quotes

We must consider what Miss. Fairfax quits, before we condemn her taste for what she goes to.

Whenever you are transplanted, like me, you will understand how very delightful it is to meet with anything at all like what one has left behind.

Nobody, who has not been in the interior of a family, can say what the difficulties of any individual of that family may be.

What had she have to wish for? Nothing but to grow more worthy of him whose intentions and judgment had been ever so superior to her own.

What had she to wish for? Nothing, but to grow more worthy of him whose intentions and judgment had been ever so superior to her own.

With such a worshipping wife, it was hardly possible that any natural defects in it should not be increased. The extreme sweetness of her temper must hurt his.

My Emma, does not every thing serve to prove more and more the beauty of truth and sincerity in all our dealings with each other?

Respect for right conduct is felt by every body.

It was impossible to quarrel with words, whose tremulous inequality showed indisposition so plainly.

Blessed with so many resources within myself the world was not necessary to me. I could do very well without it.

Where the waters do agree, it is quite wonderful the relief they give.

Mr. Knightley to be no longer coming there for his evening comfort! - No longer walking in at all hours, as if ever willing to change his own home for their's! - How was it to be endured?

The most incomprehensible thing in the world to a man, is a woman who rejects his offer of marriage!

There are secrets in all families, you know.

But one never does form a just idea of anybody beforehand. One takes up a notion and runs away with it.

Time did not compose her.

The I examined my own heart. And there you were. Never, I fear, to be removed.

Upon my word, Emma, to hear you abusing the reason you have, is almost enough to make me think so too. Better be without sense than misapply it as you do.

Trusting that you will some time or other do me greater justice than you can do now.

She was happy, she knew she was happy, and knew she ought to be happy.

How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!

I must tell you what you will not ask, though I may wish it unsaid the next moment

Happiness must preclude false indulgence and physic.

You must be the best judge of your own happiness.

She will never submit to any thing requiring industry and patience, and a subjection of the fancy to the understanding.

I am not only not going to be married, at present, but have very little intention of ever marrying at all.

Well, evil to some is always good to others.

Ever since her being turned into a Churchill, she has out-Churchill'd them all in high and mighty claims.

Business, you know, may bring money, but friendship hardly ever does.

... his second... must give him the pleasantest proof of its being a great deal better to choose than to be chosen, to excite gratitude than to feel it.

Without music, life would be a blank to me.

Why not seize the pleasure at once? -- How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!

Time will generally lessen the interest of every attachment not within the daily circle.

Luck which so often defies anticipation in matrimonial affairs, giving attraction to what is moderate rather than to what is superior.