Jane Austen Quotes

The misery of being bound without Love

"The unpleasantness of appearing fickle is certainly great--but if you think you want Punishment for past Illusions, there it is--and nothing can compare to the misery of being bound without Love, bound to one, & preferring another.  That is a Punishment which you do not deserve."

letter to her niece Fanny Knight
November 30, 1814 [114]

Another Man

"It is very true that you never may attach another Man, his equal altogether, but if that other Man has the power of attaching you more, he will be in your eyes the most perfect."

letter to her niece Fanny Knight
November 30, 1814 [114]

A possible Evil

"I am at present more impressed with the possible Evil that may arise to You from engaging yourself to him--in word or mind--than with anything else.  When I consider how few young Men you have yet seen much of--how capable you are (yes, I do still think you very capable) of being really in love--and how full of temptation the next 6 or 7 years of your Life will probably be--(it is the very period of Life for the strongest attachments to be formed)--I cannot wish you with your present very cool feelings to devote yourself in honour to him."

letter to her niece Fanny Knight
November 30, 1814 [114]

I think they quoted this nearly directly in Miss Austen Regrets. Olivia Williams as Jane Austen.

How very far from a now

"I am perfectly convinced that your present feelings, supposing you were to marry now, would be sufficient for his happiness;--but when I think how very, very far it is from a Now, & take everything that may be, into consideration, I dare not say, 'determine to accept him.'  The risk is too great for you, unless your own Sentiments prompt it."

letter to her niece Fanny Knight
November 30, 1814 [114]

Your own feelings

More from Jane's letters to her niece Fanny, about whether or not she should marry Mr. John Plumptre:

"Now, my dearest Fanny . . . You frighten me out of my Wits by your reference.  Your affection gives me the highest pleasure, but indeed you must not let anything depend on my opinion.  Your own feelings & none but your own, should determine such an important point."

letter to her niece Fanny Knight
November 30, 1814 [114]

Imogen Poots as Fanny Knight in Miss Austen Regrets

Parades of happiness

"We have heard nothing fresh from Anna.  I trust she is very comfortable in her new home.  Her Letters have been very sensible & satisfactory, with no parade of happiness, which I liked them the better for.--I have often known young married Women write in a way I did not like, in that respect."

letter to her niece Fanny (Edward's daughter), about another niece, Anna (James's daughter), who had just married Ben Lefroy
November 18, 1814 [109]

Such sort of Disappointments

"Things are now in such a state, that you must resolve upon one or the other, either allow him to go on as he has done, or whenever you are together behave with a coldness which may convince him that he has been deceiving himself.--I have no doubt of his suffering a good deal for a time, a great deal, when he feels he must give you up;--but it is no creed of mine, as you must be well aware, that such sort of Disappointments kill anybody."

letter to her niece, Fanny Knight, about Mr. John Plumptre, whom Fanny was considering marrying
November 18, 1814 [109]

A dirty Shaving Rag

"Your trying to excite your own feelings by a visit to his room amused me excessively.--The dirty Shaving Rag was exquisite!--Such a circumstance ought to be in print.  Much too good to be lost."

letter to her niece, Fanny Knight, about Mr. John Plumptre, whom Fanny was considering marrying
November 18, 1814 [109]

Marrying without affection

"Anything is to be preferred or endured rather than marrying without Affection; and if his deficiencies of Manner &c &c strike you more than all his good qualities, if you continue to think strongly of them, give him up at once."

letter to her niece, Fanny Knight, about Mr. John Plumptre, whom Fanny was considering marrying
November 18, 1814 [109]

Wisdom is better than Wit

"Think of all this Fanny.  Mr. J.P. has advantages which do not often meet in one person.  His only fault indeed seems Modesty.  If he were less modest, he would be more agreable, speak louder & look Impudenter;--and is it not a fine Character, of which Modesty is the only defect? . . . Wisdom is better than Wit, & in the long run will certainly have the laugh on her side."

letter to her niece, Fanny Knight, about Mr. John Plumptre, whom Fanny was considering marrying
November 18, 1814 [109]