First published anonymously in 1813, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen has become a classic of English literature and remains widely read. From its debut more than two centuries ago, Austen's novel has never gone out of print. Rich in incisive wit and driven by fully human characters, the story centers on the burgeoning relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner. Praised by critics and embraced by fans, Pride and Prejudice has inspired multiple stage and screen adaptations, including a Bollywood version and a zombie reimagining. In August 2025, Netflix began filming for a limited series adaptation, starring Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet and Jack Lowden as Darcy. In September 2025, Audible released a dramatic, nuanced retelling, performed by a full cast and featuring an original score.
Pride and Prejudice is universally cherished because it depicts people with real faults and feelings that often stand in the way of their happiness. Throughout the story, the characters develop and grow as they overcome their ingrained notions about class, money, and reputation, learn to truly see and value others, and come to trust their own hearts. Here are 40+ quotes from Pride and Prejudice—attributed, when applicable, to the characters who spoke them—that capture the novel's core themes.
On love and marriage
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
“To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.”
“Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then. It is something to think of, and it gives her a sort of distinction among her companions.” - Mr. Bennet
“Do anything rather than marry without affection.” - Jane Bennet
There are very few who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement.” - Charlotte Lucas
“You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.” - Darcy
“They walked on, without knowing in what direction. There was too much to be thought, and felt, and said, for attention to any other objects.”
“I think you are in very great danger of making him as much in love with you as ever.” - Elizabeth Bennet
“She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both: by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved; and from his judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance.”
“Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?” - Elizabeth Bennet
“Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.” - Charlotte Lucas
“I am determined that only the deepest love will induce me into matrimony. So, I shall end an old maid, and teach your ten children to embroider cushions and play their instruments very ill.” - Elizabeth Bennet
“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will no longer be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” - Darcy
“If a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal it, he must find it out." - Elizabeth Bennet
“In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels.” - Charlotte Lucas
“She hardly knew how to suppose that she could be an object of admiration to so great a man.”
"A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment." - Darcy
On pride and vanity
“It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us.” - Jane Bennet
“Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride—where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation.” - Darcy
“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.” - Mary Bennet
“Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly.” - Elizabeth Bennett
“Nothing is more deceitful... than the appearance of humility.” - Darcy
“Pride is a very common failing... I am convinced that it is very common indeed; that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary.” - Mary Bennet
“There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil—a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.” - Darcy
“He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again.”
On personal authenticity and happiness
“I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.” - Elizabeth Bennet
“I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice.” - Elizabeth Bennet
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” - Miss Caroline Bingley
“Affectation of candour is common enough—one meets with it everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or design—to take the good of everybody's character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad—belongs to you alone.” - Elizabeth Bennet
“She had a lively, playful disposition that delighted in anything ridiculous.”
“I never could be so happy as you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, I never can have your happiness.” - Elizabeth Bennet
"Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.” - Elizabeth Bennet
“You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” - Elizabeth Bennet
On emotion and integrity
“You shall not, for the sake of one individual, change the meaning of principle and integrity, nor endeavour to persuade yourself or me, that selfishness is prudence, and insensibility of danger security for happiness.” - Elizabeth Bennet
“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.” - Elizabeth Bennet
"Do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has been the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most beloved sister?” - Elizabeth Bennet
“You were disgusted with the women who were always speaking and looking, and thinking for your approbation alone. I roused, and interested you, because I was so unlike them.” - Elizabeth Bennet
“It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first.” - Elizabeth Bennet
“The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.” - Elizabeth Bennet
"Anger is not always wise." - Elizabeth Bennet
“Elizabeth had never been more at a loss to make her feelings appear what they were not. It was necessary to laugh, when she would rather have cried.”
