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I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle.

Jane Austen

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Jane Austen
Age: 101 †
Born: 1775
Born: December 16
Died: 1877
Died: July 24
Novelist
Short Story Writer
Writer
Steventon
Hampshire
Selfishness
Selfish
Principle
Principles
Practice
Though
Life

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I know so many who have married in the full expectation and confidence of some one particular advantage in the connection, or accomplishment, or good quality in the person, who have found themselves entirely deceived, and been obliged to put up with exactly the reverse. What is this but a take in?
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How quick come the reasons for approving what we like!
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She was sensible and clever, but eager in everything her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation.
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An egg boiled very soft is not unwholesome.
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Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her.
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I can never be important to any one.' 'What is to prevent you?' 'Every thing — my situation — my foolishness and awkwardness.
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If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient.
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The post office has a great charm at one point of our lives. When you have lived to my age, you will begin to think letters are never worth going through the rain for.
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Dress is at all times a frivolous distinction, and excessive solicitude about it often destroys its own aim.
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Now they were as strangers nay worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted.
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Marriage is indeed a maneuvering business.
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Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch-hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who, for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Barontage there he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed one . . .
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I mean to be too rich to lament or to feel anything of the sort. A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of. It certainly may secure all the myrtle and turkey part of it.
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A person who is knowingly bent on bad behavior, gets upset when better behavior is expected of them.
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Lady Sondes' match surprises, but does not offend me had her first marriage been of affection, or had their been a grown-updaughter, I should not have forgiven her but I consider everybody as having a right to marry once in their lives for love, if they can.
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It's such a happiness when good people get together.
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But remember that the pain of parting from friends will be felt by everybody at times, whatever be their education or state. Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience or give it a more fascinating name: call it hope.
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Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want.
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“It is not everyone,” said Elinor, “who has your passion for dead leaves.”
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I have had to contend against the unkindness of his sister, and the insolence of his mother and have suffered the punishment of an attachment, without enjoying its advantages.
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