Jane Austen’s “Emma” Quotes (70 Quotes)

Dear Diary, Today I tried not to think about Mr. Knightly. I tried not to think about him when I discussed the menu with Cook... I tried not to think about him in the garden where I thrice plucked the petals off a daisy to acertain his feelings for Harriet. I don't think we should keep daisies in the garden, they really are a drab little flower. And I tried not to think about him when I went to bed, but something had to be done.

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

Of all horrid things, leave-taking is the worst.

Well, evil to some is always good to others.

Do not deceive yourself; do not be run away with by gratitude and compassion.

I would much rather have been merry than wise.

One cannot creep upon a journey; one cannot help getting on faster than one has planned: and the pleasure of coming in upon one's friends before the look-out begins is worth a great deal more than any little exertion it needs.

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.

Even pleasure, you know, is fatiguing…

It has sunk him, I cannot say how much it has sunk him in my opinion. So unlike what a man should be!-None of that upright integrity, that strict adherence to truth and principle, that distain of trick and littleness, which a man should display in every transaction of his life.

Perhaps it is our imperfections that make us so perfect for one another!

What a blessing it is, when undue influence does not survive the grave!

Every body else had something to say; every body was either surprised or not surprised, and had some question to ask, or some comfort to offer.

It is not every man's fate to marry the woman who loves him best

She did not really like her. She would not be in a hurry to find fault, but she suspected that there was no elegance, ease, but not elegance... Her person was rather good; her face not unpretty; but neither feature nor air, nor voice, nor manner were elegant.

Where shall we see a better daughter, or a kinder sister, or a truer friend?

Every thing was to take its natural course, however, neither impelled nor assisted.

It is only by seeing women in their own homes, among their own set, just as they always are, that you can form any just judgment. Short of that, it is all guess and luck-and will generally be ill-luck. How many a man has committed himself on a short acquaintance, and rued it all the rest of his life!

She regained the street--happy in this, that though much had been forced on her against her will, though she had in fact heard the whole substance of Jane Fairfax's letter, she had been able to escape the letter itself.

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

Fine dancing, I believe, like virtue, must be its own reward.

It was foolish, it was wrong, to take so active a part in bringing any two people together.

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

Where the wound had been given, there must the cure be found, if any where.

A man always imagines a woman to be ready for anybody who asks her.

Happiness must preclude false indulgence and physic.

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

She was one of those, who, having, once begun, would be always in love.

Where there is a wish to please, one ought to overlook, and one does overlook a great deal.

A very narrow income has a tendency to contract the mind, and sour the temper. Those who can barely live, and who live perforce in a very small, and generally very inferior, society, may well be illiberal and cross.

He knew her illnesses; they never occurred but for her own convenience.

It's such a happiness when good people get together.

That will just do for me, you know. I shall be sure to say three dull things as soon as ever I open my mouth, shan't I?

Wickedness is always wickedness, but folly is not always folly.

A young woman, if she fall into bad gands, may be teazed, and kept at a distance from those she wants to be with; but one cannot comprehend a young man's being under such restraint, as not to be able to spend a week with his father, if he likes it.

Heavens! let me not suppose that she dares go about Emma Woodhouse-ing me! But, upon my honour, there seems no limits to the licentiousness of that woman's tongue!

Letters are no matter of indifference; they are generally a very positive curse.

The hair was curled, and the maid sent away, and Emma sat down to think and be miserable.

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.

Absence with the conviction probably of her indifference, had produced this very natural and desirable effect.

His feelings are warm, but I can imagine them rather changeable.

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

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

Without music, life would be a blank to me.

And have you never known the pleasure and triumph of a lucky guess? I pity you. I thought you cleverer; for depend upon it, a lucky guess is never merely luck. There is always some talent in it.

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

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

There is one thing, Emma, which a man can always do if he chooses, and that is his duty; not by manoeuvring and finessing, but by vigour and resolution. - Mr. Knightley

You have another long walk before you.

At Christmas every body invites their friends and thinks little of even the worst weather.