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

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.

I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like

Mr. Knightley seemed to be trying not to smile; and succeeded without difficulty, upon Mrs. Elton's beginning to talk to him.

There was no being displeased with such an encourager, for his admiration made him discern a likeness before it was possible.

You must be the best judge of your own happiness.

Better be without sense than misapply it as you do.

I cannot make speeches, Emma...If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. You hear nothing but truth from me. I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it.

Mr. Knightley, if I have not spoken, it is because I am afraid I will awaken myself from this dream.

These are the sights, Harriet, to do one good. How trifling they make every thing else appear!---I feel now as if I could think of nothing but these poor creatures all the rest of the day; and yet, who can say how soon it may all vanish from my mind?

Better be without sense than to misapply it...

I certainly will not persuade myself to feel more than I do. I am quite enough in love. I should be sorry to be more

No! Thank you for thinking I am thoughtful.

This sweetest and best of all creatures, faultless in spite of all her faults.

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

I do not find myself making any use of the word sacrifice.

No, indeed, I shall grant you nothing. I always take the part of my own sex. I do indeed. I give you notice-- You will find me a formidable antagonist on that point. I always stand up for women.

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

But a note had had been prepared and left for her, written in the very style to touch --a small mixture of reproach with a great deal of kindness

I don't approve of surprises. The pleasure is never enhanced and the inconvenience is considerable.

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

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

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…