There was no being displeased with such an encourager, for his admiration made him discern a likeness before it was possible.
Of this she was perfectly unaware; to her he was only the man who had made himself agreeable nowhere, and who had not thought her handsome enough to dance with.
A family of ten children will be always called a fine family, where there are heads and arms and legs enough for the number.
I have never yet found that the advice of a Sister could prevent a young Man’s being in love if he chose it.
That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.
A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago.
Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong?
But your mind is warped by an innate principle of general integrity, and, therefore, not accessible to the cool reasonings of family partiality, or a desire of revenge.
Mr. Knightley, if I have not spoken, it is because I am afraid I will awaken myself from this dream.
I have not the pleasure of understanding you.
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.
How little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue.
Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly.
You expect me to account for opinions which you choose to call mine, but which I have never acknowledged.
This is an evening of wonders, indeed!
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.
A person who is knowingly bent on bad behavior, gets upset when better behavior is expected of them.
There is a quickness of perception in some, a nicety in the discernment of character, a natural penetration, in short, which no experience in others can equal...
The power of doing any thing with quickness is always much prized by the possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of the performance. – Mr Darcy.
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.