17 beautiful Jane Austen quotes that prove she was ahead of her time!
Jane Austen is one of the most beloved and celebrated authors in English literature. Born in 1775, she lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and wrote six novels that have become some of the most enduring and beloved classics in the English language. Austen's novels are known for their wit, social commentary, and depictions of everyday life among the gentry. Her characters are often strong-willed, independent women who challenge societal expectations and conventions. Some of her most famous works include "Pride and Prejudice", "Sense and Sensibility", "Emma" and "Mansfield Park".
Austen's novels have been popular for centuries and her quotes have been widely shared and read by generations, even in today's time. Her writing is characterized by its simplicity, wit, and irony. It is a reflection of the society of her time and continues to resonate with readers today. With that in mind, we have decided to share our most favorite Jane Austen quotes below, in no particular order.
17 Jane Austen quotes that provide she was ahead of her time! Photo credit: Unsplash
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“I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.”
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
“I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.”
“I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve.”
“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.”
“I cannot make speeches, Emma. If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”
“One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.”
“I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other.”
“I cannot but think gentleman is a very dangerous species.”
“I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love.”
“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
“I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle.”
“I have always had a value for her; and though I have been very much pleased with other people, I have never loved any body but her.”
“It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy;—it is disposition alone. Seven years would be insufficient to make some people acquainted with each other, and seven days are more than enough for others.”
“I have been used to consider a library as a sort of domestic production.”
“I cannot but regret, as a lover of human nature, and a disseminator of happiness, that such a worthy lady should not have found a worthier friend.”
“I was quiet, but I was not blind.”
17 Jane Austen quotes that prove she was ahead of her time! Photo credit: Unsplash
Jane Austen's novels continue to be adored to this day by readers of all ages. Her wit and social commentary remain just as relevant as they were when they were first written. She is considered one of the greatest British novelists of all time and her work continues to be studied and admired by literary scholars.
If you enjoy reading Jane Austen, we recommend checking out "Earning Her Keep" by Emily Giffin and "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett.
"Earning Her Keep" is a novel coming out in 2023, set in Regency England, and follows the story of a young woman who must navigate the societal expectations placed on her as she tries to find true love and independence. This book explores themes of class, gender, and societal norms, similar to Austen's novels.
"The Vanishing Half" is another novel coming out in 2023 that has similarities to the work of Jane Austen. The book is set in the 1950s and follows the story of twin sisters who grow up in a black community in the South but ultimately go their separate ways and lead vastly different lives. This book explores themes of race, identity, and societal expectations, which force the protagonists to face many of the same struggles and societal pressures as Austen's characters.