Jane Austen Quotes About Love
Jane Austen’s six novels might not all be straight-up romances, but she seriously shaped the romance genre as we know it. Think happily-ever-afters and deep romantic bonds between equals.
Jane Austen never got married herself, but she truly understood love and had a keen eye for people and their relationships.
So dive into Austen’s beautiful words (some of which offer solid advice), and enjoy these memorable Jane Austen love quotes about marriage, courtship, and more. Let her words inspire us all to love more and believe in real romance.
Emma Quotes
1. Emma on Marriage
“A woman is not to marry a man merely because she is asked, or because he is attached to her, and can write a tolerable letter.”
— Emma Woodhouse, Emma
Even though Emma’s matchmaking is often misguided, she’s got a point here. She yearns for more equality in relationships and sees the unfairness in men’s expectations during her time. This advice remains relevant today: You don’t have to like someone just because they like you.
2. Emma Has an Epiphany
“Why was it so much worse that Harriet should be in love with Mr Knightley than Frank Churchill? Why was the evil so dreadfully increased by Harriet’s having some hope of a return? It darted through her with the speed of an arrow that Mr Knightley must marry no one but herself!”
— Emma
Everything in Emma leads to this lightbulb moment for Emma. It’s a funny and brilliantly written scene that showcases Austen’s storytelling prowess.
3. Mr. Knightley Gets Romantic
“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”
— Mr. Knightley, Emma
Mr. Knightley’s declaration is utterly romantic, showcasing Austen’s talent for creating charming fictional men.
Mansfield Park Quotes
4. Edmund Pays Fanny a Romantic Compliment
“He will make you happy, Fanny; I know he will make you happy; But you will make him everything.”
— Edmund, Mansfield Park
Though Edmund sometimes gives questionable advice (like encouraging Fanny to consider Henry Crawford), he also highlights Fanny’s worth here.
5. Fanny on Equality in Love
“I think it ought not to be set down as certain that a man must be acceptable to every woman he may happen to like himself.”
— Fanny Price, Mansfield Park
Similar to Emma, Fanny points out the absurdity of expecting women to automatically like any man who shows interest in them.
Northanger Abbey Quotes
6. On Disappointed Love
“Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.”
— Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
We’ve all had our hearts broken at some point. In those tough times, turning to friends for support is invaluable. Friendship helps us heal.
7. Marriage and Dancing
“You will allow that in both [marriage and dancing], man has the advantage of choice, woman only the power of refusal; that in both, it is an engagement between man and woman, formed for the advantage of each…”
— Henry Tilney, Northanger Abbey
Henry speaks to Catherine at a ball, cleverly comparing dancing to marriage. His analogy underscores the themes of choice and commitment.
Persuasion Quotes
8. How to Write a Love Letter
“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope…I have loved none but you.”
— Captain Wentworth, Persuasion
Even just a snippet of Wentworth’s letter to Anne is enough to make anyone believe in true love. His letter is one of the most passionate declarations in literature.
9. On Devotion
“A man does not recover from such a devotion of the heart to such a woman! He ought not; he does not.”
— Captain Wentworth, Persuasion
Another swoon-worthy moment from Captain Wentworth, reinforcing his deep and unwavering devotion.
Pride and Prejudice Quotes
10. Only Marry For Love
“Oh, Lizzy! Do anything rather than marry without affection.”
— Pride and Prejudice
Through Jane’s words to Elizabeth, Austen advises us all: Never marry without affection.
11. A Proposal Gone Bad
“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.”
— Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice
This is a prime example of how not to propose, despite the raw emotion behind Darcy’s words.
12. Follow Your Heart
“Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her.”
— Pride and Prejudice
This moment marks when Elizabeth realizes Mr. Darcy’s grand gesture of paying for Lydia’s wedding. She starts to hope that his feelings for her haven’t changed.
13. Mr. Darcy’s Affections
“You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.”
— Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice
Darcy’s second proposal is much better than the first, capturing his sincere and unchanged feelings for Elizabeth.
Sense and Sensibility Quotes
14. Elinor’s Hidden Emotions
“I think very highly of him–that I greatly esteem, that I like him.”
— Elinor, Sense and Sensibility
Elinor downplays her feelings for Edward to avoid raising hopes, but her deep emotions eventually come to the surface when she learns Edward is not married. They marry, and all ends well.
15. Never Love Halfway
“Marianne could never love by halves; and her whole heart became, in time, as much devoted to her husband, as it had once been to Willoughby.”
— Sense and Sensibility
Marianne’s ability to love deeply shows how love can heal and grow over time. It’s a reminder that love is an active choice involving sacrifice and devotion.
What are your favorite Jane Austen quotes about love? Let me know in the comments!
