Jane Austen Quotes

Loveliness itself

[Mrs. Weston]  "She is loveliness itself.  Mr. Knightley, is not she?"

"I have not a fault to find with her person," he replied.  "I think her all you describe.  I love to look at her; and I will add this praise, that I do not think her personally vain.  Considering how handsome she is, she appears to be little occupied with it; her vanity lies another way."

Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley on Emma's beauty and faults
Emma, volume 1, chapter 5

Emma's reading lists

I love this little bit:

"Emma has been meaning to read more ever since she was twelve years old.  I have seen a great many  lists of her drawing up at various times of books that she meant to read regularly through--and very good lists they were--very well chosen and very neatly arranged--sometimes alphabetically and sometimes by some other rule.  The list she drew up when only fourteen--I remember thinking it did her judgement so much credit that I preserved it some time; and I dare say she may have made out a very good list now.  But I have done with expecting any course of steady reading from Emma.  She will never submit to anything requiring industry and patience and a subjection of the fancy to the understanding."

Mr. Knightley discussing Emma's faults with Mrs. Weston, who will not admit them
Emma, volume 1, chapter 5

I think I have made various reading lists of my own over the years...

Mr. Martin

"I have no doubt that he will thrive and be a very rich man in time--and his being illiterate and coarse need not disturb us."

Emma's backhanded compliment of Robert Martin, the farmer Harriet adores
Emma, volume 1, chapter 4

Encouragement

"Encouragement should be given."

This is of Emma, and her perhaps unwise decision to encourage Harriet Smith into a different sphere of life.  But it's a good sentiment all the same, no?
Emma, volume 1, chapter 3

The charms of Miss Bates

Why is it everyone likes Miss Bates so much?

"Her daughter [Miss Bates] enjoyed a most uncommon degree of popularity for a woman neither young, handsome, rich, nor married. Miss Bates stood in the very worst predicament in the world for having much of the public favour; and she had no intellectual superiority to make atonement to herself or frighten those who might hate her into outward respect.  She had never boasted either beauty or cleverness.  Her youth had passed without distinction, and her middle of life was devoted to the care of a failing mother and the endeavor to make a small income go as far as possible.  And yet she was a happy woman, a woman whom no one named without goodwill.  It was her own universal goodwill and contented temper which worked such wonders.  She loved everybody, was interested in everybody's happiness, quick-sighted to everybody's merits; thought herself a most fortunate creature, and surrounded with blessings in such an excellent mother and so many good neighbors and friends and a home that wanted for nothing.  The simplicity and cheerfulness of her nature, her contented and grateful spirit, were a recommendation to everybody and a mine of felicity to herself."

Emma, volume 1, chapter 3

A great talker

"She was a great talker upon little matters . . . full of trivial communications and harmless gossip."

Our dear Miss Bates
Emma, volume 1, chapter 3

Flattery, my dear...

"Emma knows I never flatter her."

Mr. Knightley, to Mr. Woodhouse
Emma, volume 1, chapter 1

I'm just re-reading chapter 1 in Emma and realizing how many hints Austen gave us.

I'm also thrilled to say that I've had four good days in a row -- I'm so thankful. Thanks for your prayers and well wishes!

Uncensured

"Catherine hoped at least to pass uncensured through the crowd.  As for admiration, it was always very welcome when it came, but she did not depend on it."

Of Catherine's first venture to Bath's Upper Rooms
Northanger Abbey, volume 1, chapter 2

A herione

Ack!  (I think that's my new word.)  I was in a Lyme disease stupor yesterday and missed posting, and today's just a little better.  I would appreciate your prayers for total, complete and miraculous healing--as well as for healing the old-fashioned way.  It's incredibly discouraging, and I'm wondering if I should just give up trying to get better.  On to today's quote...

"There was not one lord in the neighborhood; no -- not even a baronet.  There was not one family among their acquaintance who had reared and supported a boy accidentally found at their door -- not one young man whose origin was unknown.  Her father had no ward, and the squire of the parish no children.

But when a young lady is to be a heroine, the perverseness of forty surrounding families cannot prevent her.  Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way."

Of Catherine Morland, our would-be heroine
Northanger Abbey, volume 1, chapter 1

All story and no reflection

Ack!  I couldn't get into Typepad ealier.

"Provided that nothing like useful knowledge could be gained from them, provided they were all story and no reflection, she had never any objection to books at all."

Of Catherine's reading habits
Northanger Abbey, volume 1, chapter 1