Important Quotes from Pride and Prejudice and Their Significance
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a novel brimming with wit, irony, and keen social commentary. Through the interactions of its characters, Austen explores themes of love, class, reputation, and personal growth. Many lines from the novel have become iconic, encapsulating its timeless wisdom. In this post, we will analyze some of the most significant quotes from Pride and Prejudice and their deeper meanings.
1. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
This opening line is perhaps one of the most famous sentences in English literature. It sets the tone for the novel’s satirical approach to marriage and social expectations. While it appears to state a widely accepted fact, the irony lies in the assumption that wealthy men are actively seeking wives when, in reality, it is often society—especially women and their families—that are eager to secure advantageous matches.
2. She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.
Mr. Darcy’s initial dismissal of Elizabeth Bennet at the Meryton ball establishes the tension between the two characters. His arrogance and pride are on full display, and this slight fuels Elizabeth’s prejudice against him. However, the line also highlights how first impressions can be misleading—a theme central to the novel.
3. I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.
Elizabeth makes this remark after overhearing Darcy’s insult. This quote reveals her strong sense of self-respect and foreshadows the novel’s exploration of how pride and wounded vanity shape people’s judgments of each other. It also demonstrates Elizabeth’s quick wit and sharp insight, key traits that define her character.
4. Till this moment, I never knew myself.
After reading Mr. Darcy’s letter, Elizabeth undergoes a profound moment of self-realization. She recognizes her own prejudices and acknowledges that she has misjudged both Darcy and Wickham. This is a turning point in the novel, as Elizabeth begins to see beyond her biases and grow as a person.
5. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.
Darcy’s first proposal to Elizabeth is passionate but deeply flawed. His declaration of love is overshadowed by his condescending remarks about her inferior social status. This scene is crucial in highlighting Darcy’s initial lack of understanding of Elizabeth’s perspective and sets the stage for his later transformation.
6. My good opinion once lost is lost forever.
Darcy says this early in the novel, demonstrating his rigid nature and excessive pride. However, by the end of the novel, he has changed significantly, learning humility and becoming more self-aware. His growth makes his eventual union with Elizabeth all the more satisfying.
7. We are all fools in love.
Charlotte Lucas makes this observation, offering a pragmatic view of romance. Unlike Elizabeth, Charlotte believes that marriage is primarily a social contract rather than a union based on love. Her perspective highlights the novel’s exploration of different attitudes toward marriage.
8. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.
This line, also spoken by Charlotte Lucas, reflects the limited agency women had in choosing their partners. It underscores the economic and social pressures that influenced marriage decisions in the 19th century.
9. You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you.
This line, though not found in Austen’s original novel, is a famous addition from the 2005 film adaptation. It captures the deep emotional transformation Darcy undergoes and reflects the novel’s theme of love triumphing over social expectations and personal pride.
10. I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh.
Elizabeth’s joyful exclamation upon her engagement to Darcy signifies the fulfillment of her emotional and intellectual journey. Unlike many marriages in the novel, hers is based on mutual respect, love, and personal growth.
11. Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously.
Mary Bennet makes this philosophical remark, distinguishing between two central themes of the novel. She wisely observes that pride relates to how we view ourselves, whereas vanity is about how others see us. This distinction is significant in the novel, as both Elizabeth and Darcy must overcome their own pride and misjudgments to find happiness.
12. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others.
Elizabeth expresses her independent spirit, showing her unwillingness to conform to societal pressures, a defining characteristic that sets her apart from many women of her time.
13. Do anything rather than marry without affection.
Jane Bennet advises Elizabeth on the importance of love in marriage, reinforcing the novel’s message that true happiness comes from mutual respect and affection rather than social ambition.
14. You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.
Darcy encourages Elizabeth to let go of past grievances and embrace a more positive outlook, reflecting his own character development.
15. For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?
Mr. Bennet’s witty and cynical observation encapsulates the social dynamics of the novel, highlighting the amusement derived from human folly.
16. I have no pretensions to that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man.
Elizabeth asserts her wit and independence when confronted by Miss Bingley, emphasizing her refusal to engage in petty manipulations.
17. To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.
This lighthearted remark underscores the significance of social gatherings in courtship, reinforcing the novel’s themes of romance and social interaction.
18. There is no enjoyment like reading!
Caroline Bingley makes this statement to impress Mr. Darcy, though it is later revealed that she does not actually share his love of books. This highlights her hypocrisy and insincerity.
19. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.
Elizabeth’s humorous and self-aware attitude toward life is revealed here, showcasing her playful spirit.
20. The more I see of the world, the more I am dissatisfied with it.
This observation reflects Elizabeth’s growing awareness of the superficiality and hypocrisy of society, reinforcing the novel’s critique of rigid social structures.
21. Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility.
Mr. Darcy makes this remark about false modesty, highlighting how some people use humility to manipulate others. This idea plays out in the character of Mr. Wickham, whose charm and apparent humility conceal his true nature.
22. I might as well enquire why, with so evident a desire of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will.
Elizabeth’s sharp response to Darcy’s proposal points out his lack of grace and the contradiction in his feelings. This moment is a turning point, highlighting Elizabeth’s strong will and sense of self-respect.
23. We neither of us perform to strangers.
Darcy explains why both he and Elizabeth struggle in social settings, highlighting their shared introversion. This moment of connection underscores their compatibility.
24. I certainly have not the talent which some people possess of conversing easily with those I have never seen before.
Darcy acknowledges his social awkwardness, which is often mistaken for arrogance. This honesty makes him more relatable and humanizes his character.
25. I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness.
Elizabeth asserts her independence, rejecting societal pressure to marry for convenience. This reinforces her strong-willed and unconventional nature.
26. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient.
Elizabeth teases Darcy about his claim that he would be good at something if he had ever tried. This playful banter is part of their evolving relationship.
27. He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal.
Elizabeth refuses to see herself as inferior to Darcy despite his wealth. This statement highlights her strong sense of self-worth.
Conclusion
The brilliance of Pride and Prejudice lies in its sharp dialogue and timeless wisdom. Austen masterfully uses language to expose human flaws, critique societal norms, and ultimately celebrate the power of self-awareness and love. Each of these quotes encapsulates a key theme in the novel, making Pride and Prejudice as relevant today as it was in the early 19th century.
