Sense and Sensibility quotes

Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience--or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.

— Spoken by a character · Chapter XIX

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.

— Spoken by a character · Chapter XVII

"This will probably be the case," he replied; "and yet there is something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general opinions."

— Spoken by a character · Chapter XI

I will be calm, I will be mistress of myself.

— Spoken by a character · Chapter XLVIII

Mama, the more I know of the world, the more am I convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!

— Spoken by a character · Chapter III

"If I could but know his heart, everything would become easy."

— Spoken by a character · Chapter XLVI

I wish as well as every body else to be perfectly happy; but, like every body else it must be in my own way. Greatness will not make me so.

— Spoken by a character · Chapter XVII

It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy; it is disposition alone. Seven years would be insufficient to make some people acquainted with each other, and seven days are more than enough for others.

— Spoken by a character · Chapter XII

Their taste was strikingly alike. The same books, the same passages were idolized by each; or if any difference appeared, any objection arose, it lasted no longer than till the force of her arguments and the brightness of her eyes could be displayed.

His own enjoyment, or his own ease, was, in every particular, his ruling principle.

— Elinor · Chapter XLVII

"money can only give happiness where there is nothing else to give it. Beyond a competence, it can afford no real satisfaction, as far as mere self is concerned."

— Marianne · Chapter XVII

He was not an ill-disposed young man, unless to be rather cold hearted and rather selfish is to be ill-disposed: but he was, in general, well respected; for he conducted himself with propriety in the discharge of his ordinary duties.

I have not wanted syllables where actions have spoken so plainly.

— Spoken by a character · Chapter XV

Sometimes one is guided by what they say of themselves, and very frequently by what other people say of them, without giving oneself time to deliberate and judge.

— Elinor · Chapter XVII