Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813) is still one of the most famous novels in the English language. It’s a timeless bestseller that takes you on a journey of love, conceit, self-deprecation and evolution in the persona of its unforgettable characters. Its main attractions are the novel’s deep truths and quotes, as resonant now as they were more than 200 years ago.
Today we’re going to look at some of the best Pride and Prejudice quotes (from Love, Pride, and Integrity) and what they have to teach us.
Love and Marriage: A Heart-Shooting Journey
Pride and Prejudice is a love story that does not follow the standard rules and don’t hold on to the prejudices of individual readers. The story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy’s love blossoms is one of the most powerful tests of the transformative power of love, and it tells us a lesson about trust, compatibility and friendship.
1. ‘Another truth that everybody is conscious of, is that a single man with a good fortune, must not have a wife.
With this first line we’re off to a mockery of society’s standards for marriage. Austen’s wryness points out the economic and social realities of the world outside of love.
2. ‘Dancing was the first half of falling in love.
Here Austen subtly links social rites such as dancing to the sparks of love. It’s also reminding me how communal activities can set sparks flying.
3. “Break all the laws not to be a king.” – Jane Bennet
It is the classic admonition about love as the root of a successful marriage, and against a marriage made easy or popular.
4. “In vain I have struggled. It will not do. I shall not be suppressed again.”– Mr Darcy.
Darcy’s fragile confession to Elizabeth reminds us how difficult it is to admit one’s feelings and love, even when that involves an attack on pride.
Bravado and Fraternity: Barriers to Real Relationship
Austen sifts the complex of pride and vanity, showing that they interfere with one’s progress and insight.
1. ‘Vanity and pride are not the same but the two are interchangeable. Pride is more what we believe of ourselves, vanity to what we think others ought to think of us.”– Mary Bennet.
The difference that this quote makes is important, and is that self-consciousness is the antidote to mediocrity.
2. ‘He said vanity is weakness. But pride—where there is real dominion of thought, pride will never fall outside good control.” – Mr Darcy.
As Darcy illustrates, pride when based on merit can motivate virtue and success.
3. “If I had been in love, I could never have been so pity blind. But vanity, and not love, has been my naiveté.” – Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth’s analysis mirrors her development, in the way that she sees how her initial judgements were clouded by ego and not evidence.
Integrity: How To Hold On True — The Power of Standing Your Ground
She is one of the greatest women to ever write for.’ The most important thing Elizabeth Bennet has going for her is courage and conviction.
1. ‘I’m one of those people who won’t stop, I’m too insidious to be beaten at others’ commands. It is the one thing that never scares me.” – Elizabeth Bennet’s.
And Elizabeth’s resilience and the ability to live by her values despite the odds is a wonderful lesson in self-love.
2. ‘Shall I think with all due care accept the man, who was used to defile, perhaps for all time, the bosom of a dearest sister?’– Elizabeth Bennet.
This is her strength, her refusal to trade in the moral compass for profit.
3. ‘You will not, to please a single man, redefine the concept of principle and integrity’– Elizabeth Bennet.
A summons to readers to remain true to their values, regardless of who or what gets in the way.
Happiness: A Matter of Perspective
We learn from Austen’s novel that if happiness can be impossible, it is possible with self-knowledge and genuineness.
1. “All I will be doing is to do so, and that will be my happiness, if I may say so myself.”– Elizabeth Bennet
This quote encourages individual self-fulfilment instead of public one.
2. “The more I observe the world, the less satisfied am he with it; and the more I am made to believe in the incongruity of all human beings day by day.”– Elizabeth Bennet.
An account of the fallibility of human nature, a practical portrait of the lifeworld.
Conclusion
Pride and Prejudice quotes give you timeless wisdom on love, pride and virtue. Jane Austen’s genius is that she was able to create characters and situations that were universally human, so that today she is no more out of touch than she was in the 19th century.
Whether we’re in the thick of love, or struggling with our weaknesses, or trying to be morally strong, Austen’s words can provide much advice. If you have the guts to become real and improve, then – as Elizabeth Bennet aptly explains – life will be purposeful and joyful.
