Second in Jane Austen’s novels in order, these Pride and Prejudice book quotes showcase the memorable lines of Jane Austen’s most classic romance book, set in rural England at the turn of the 19th century (the Regency era). It follows Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five very different sisters seeking love and marriage (Elizabeth, Jane, Lydia, Mary, and Kitty).
Through the greatest love story of all-time, you’ll discover how protagonist Elizabeth, who refuses to take on the conventional views of society, grows to understand (and love) Fitzwilliam Darcy, who is wealthy and seemingly arrogant. Whether you’re preparing for English literature class or an avid book lover, let’s explore these classic book quotes by theme so you can easily understand this romantic fiction at the top of all British literature!
Page numbers may vary by edition. I personally verified these page numbers from the Amazon Classics Edition, which I rented for free through Amazon Prime Reading.
3 Best Pride and Prejudice Book Quotes by Jane Austen With Page Numbers
What is the famous opening line of Pride and Prejudice?
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” – Chapter 1, page 1
This quote sets the stage for a book about love and marriage in a way that includes satire. It pokes fun at the conventions of love and marriage with which Elizabeth will struggle.
Related Post: Famous Opening Lines in Books
What is Elizabeth’s famous quote in Pride and Prejudice?
“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.”
This quote captures who Elizabeth is as a character: fierce, independent, witty, and defiant of social norms.
What was Mr. Darcy’s romantic quote?
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
One of the best book quotes about love, This line resonates with readers because it is beautiful in both form and sentiment. Words like “repressed” and “ardently” heighten the emotion of his declaration. It also shows Darcy’s character development in letting his guard down.
Related Posts: Best Book Quotes About Love | Jane Austen Quotes About Love
More Inspirational Pride and Prejudice Lines With Citations
On Love and Marriage by Elizabeth, Darcy, and More
“To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.” – narrator, page 5
“She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.” – Mr. Darcy, page 7
“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 13
“Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.” – Charlotte Lucas, page 15
“A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.” – Mr. Darcy, page 18
“My good opinion once lost is lost forever.” – Mr. Darcy, page 40
“Is not general incivility the very essence of love?” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 99
“From the very beginning—from the first moment, I may almost say—of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 135
“She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should meet.” – narrator, page 216
“Do anything rather than marry without affection.” – Jane, page 262
“I am the happiest creature in the world.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 269
On Social Class
“Nothing is more deceitful… than the appearance of humility.” – Mr. Darcy, page 33
“Vanity and pride are different things… Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.” – Mary Bennet, page 13
“The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it.” – Elizabeth, page 95
“Angry people are not always wise.” – narrator, page 187
“He is a gentleman, and I am a gentleman’s daughter. So far we are equal.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 249
“I have been a selfish being all my life… You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous.” – Mr. Darcy, page 258
“For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?” – Mr. Bennet, page 255
On Life
“Compliments always take you by surprise, and me never.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 9
“The distance is nothing when one has a motive.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 22
“I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding.” – Mr. Darcy, page 40
“There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil—a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.” – Mr. Darcy, page 40
“We do not suffer by accident.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 99
“Till this moment I never knew myself.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 146
“I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 251
“Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 258
“Do not give way to useless alarm… there is no occasion to look on it as certain.” – Mr. Gardiner, page 199
On Friendship and Family
“Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces.” – Mrs. Bennet, page 3
“Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.” – Mrs. Bennet, page 81
“There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 95
“There is nothing so bad as parting with one’s friends. One seems so forlorn without them.” – Mrs. Bennet, page 230
“The men shan’t come and part us, I am determined. We want none of them; do we?” – Lydia Bennet, page 238
“You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 258
On Reading
“With a book he was regardless of time[.]” – narrator, page 8
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!” – Caroline Bingley, page 38
“When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” – Caroline Bingley, page 38
“Books—oh! no. I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same feelings.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 66
“I should infinitely prefer a book.” – Mary Bennet, page 155
“He was fond of the country and of books; and from these tastes had arisen his principal enjoyments.” – narrator, page 165
Funny Lines
“You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves.” – Mrs. Bennet, page 2
“You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends.” – Mr. Bennet, page 2
“I have not the pleasure of understanding you.” – Mr. Bennet, page 79
“What are men to rocks and mountains?” – Elizabeth Bennet page 108
“One may be continually abusive without saying anything just; but one cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 157
“I am excessively diverted.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 255
“It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first.” – Elizabeth Bennet, page 66
“Obstinate, headstrong girl!” – Lady Catherine, page 249
Reading Tips
TIPS
- Pride and Prejudice is on the Gilmore Girls reading list if you’re taking the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge with us.
- I polled The Literary Lifestyle’s social media followers. Here’s how they rate Pride and Prejudice:
- ★★★★★: 67%
- ★★★★☆: 20%
- ★★★☆☆: 13%
- None rated it lower.
- I recommend reading the Audible Original of this book (either on its own or with the written word), which is beautifully narrated by Rosamund Pike, who starred as Jane in the 2005 movie adaptation. It makes for an easy classic book and a more immersive experience.
- You can also pair the book with the 2005 movie adaptation in which she starred, which celebrated its 20th anniversary of delighting book lovers. I polled The Literary Lifestyle’s social media followers. 59% preferred this adaptation to the 41% who preferred the 1995 adaption starring Colin Firth. Stay tuned for an upcoming Netflix adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
- The 2005 adaptation’s soundtrack makes for perfect focus music for reading this book.
- The popular quote, “You have bewitched me, body and soul” is from the 2005 movie adaptation, not the book.
Related Jane Austen Posts
If you loved these Pride and Prejudice book quotes, check out these posts next:
- Pride and Prejudice Gifts
- Sense and Sensibility Book Quotes
- Persuasion Book Quotes
- Emma Book Quotes
- Northanger Abbey Book Quotes
- Mansfield Park Book Quotes
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
