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I . . . am always half afraid of finding a clever novel too clever--& of finding my own story & my own people all forestalled.

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
Novel
Story
Half
Stories
Always
Clever
People
Findings
Finding
Afraid

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Every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required.
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My heart is, and always will be, yours.
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Ah, mother! How do you do?' said he, giving her a hearty shake of the hand 'Where did you get that quiz of a hat? It makes you look like an old witch...' On his two younger sisters he then bestowed an equal portion of his fraternal tenderness, for he asked each of them how they did, and observed that they both looked very ugly.
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I never wish to offend, but I am so foolishly shy, that I often seem negligent, when I am only kept back by my natural awkwardness.
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What strange creatures brothers are!
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You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. -Mr. Darcy
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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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Time did not compose her.
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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 interval of meditation, serious and grateful, was the best corrective of everything dangerous in such a high-wrought felicity and she went to her room, and grew steadfast and fearless in the thankfulness of her enjoyment.
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You are very kind in planning presents for me to make, and my mother has shown me exactly the same attention but as I do not choose to have generosity dictated to me, I shall not resolve on giving my cabinet to Anna till the first thought of it has been my own.
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Nothing ever fatigues me, but doing what I do not like.
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Well, my dear, said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note aloud, if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness—if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.
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Wisdom is better than wit, and in the long run will certainly have the laugh on her side.
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Marriage is indeed a maneuvering business.
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It taught me to hope, as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before.
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I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.
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On every formal visit a child ought to be of the party, by way of provisions for discourse.
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If people like to read their books, it is all very well, but to be at so much trouble in filling great volumes, which, as I used to think, nobody would willingly ever look into, to be labouring only for the torment of little boys and girls, always struck me as a hard fate.
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There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.
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