The memory is sometimes so retentive, so serviceable, so obedient-at others so bewildered and weak-and at others again, so tyrannic, so beyond control!
Let us have no ranting tragedies. Too many charactersNot a tolerable woman’s part in the play.
Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character; vanity of person and of situation.
I am rather impatient to know the fate of my best gown.
To be claimed as a good, though in an improper style, is at least better than being rejected as no good at all.
By the bye, as I must leave off being young, I find many douceurs in being a sort of chaperon, for I am put on the sofa near the fire and can drink as much wine as I like.
On every formal visit a child ought to be of the party, by way of provisions for discourse.
I want nothing but death.
It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies, could they be made to understand how little the heart of a man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire.
Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable.
A novel must show how the world truly is. Somehow, reveals the true source of our actions.
A scheme of which every part promises delight, can never be successful; and general disappointment is only warded off by the defence of some little peculiar vexation.
I wrote without much effort; for I was rich, and the rich are always respectable, whatever be their style of writing.
None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.
No one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with.
I can recollect nothing more to say at present; perhaps breakfast may assist my ideas. I was deceived – my breakfast supplied only two ideas – that the rolls were good and the butter bad.
Young ladies should take care of themselves. Young ladies are delicate plants. They should take care of their health and their complexion. My dear, did you change your stockings?
I can safely say, that the happiest part of my life has been spent on board a ship.
A very short trial convinced her that a curricle was the prettiest equipage in the world.
I have often observed that resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our eyes.