Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighborhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.”
– Chapter 1, pg. 1

“Pride is a very common failing I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed; that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or the other, real or imaginary.” – Chapter 5, pg. 18

“Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.”
– Chapter 10, pg. 47

“There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and everyday confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense.” – Chapter 24, pg. 138

“I never saw a more promising inclination; he was growing quite inattentive to other people, and wholly engrossed by her. Every time they met, it was more decided and remarkable. At his own ball he offended two or three young ladies, by not asking them to dance; and I spoke to him twice myself, without receiving an answer. Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?” – Chapter 25, pg. 144

“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It was too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” – Chapter 60, pg. 388

So those were some of my favorite book quotes from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

I wonder if I could have followed this story if I hadn’t seen the movie first. Not sure. But I was pretty amazed something Jane Austen wrote back in freaking 1813 could still make my heart flutter (yes, my heart is capable of fluttering). The overly proper, backwards writing was easier to understand than I’d expected. However, I would be lying if I said I didn’t have to re-read

a couple sentences over a few times to figure out what the heck Austen was trying to say. Not that I want some modern-day translated version (although, I wouldn't mind another Clueless). If you haven't seen the 2005 film, abandon your laptop and rush to the nearest Blockbuster because it has to be my favorite movie of all time. Despite this, I couldn’t picture Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Bennett while I was reading the book. Even bad hair extensions and an 18th century wardrobe can't make up for the fact that I've seen her rocking the emo boy haircut in Domino. On the other hand, the dreamy Matthew Macfadyen will always be my Mr. Darcy. Sigh.