“It is a truth universally acknowledged,” as the opening line suggests, that Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, is a favorite classic book everyone has in their library— some may say her best book.
Its high ranking on Goodreads among the most popular historical fiction and romance novels of all time encourages readers to give this masterpiece a chance. Certainly, it is a good way to dive into the romantic world of English literature.
For non-classic-book enthusiasts, there is still the possibility of having had a glimpse of the Bennet world by watching one of the many on-screen adaptations. In this post, we will discuss quotes from the book, the 2005 movie, and the 1995 BBC series.
But before we get to discuss the best Pride & Prejudice quotes, let’s have a look at a brief book summary, to freshen our fond memories of these beloved characters.
The storyline follows the Bennet family, which consists of five daughters, their country gentleman father, and their—all nerves—mother. The upbringing of the Bennet daughters is quite controversial, as it mostly consists of their mother’s teaching on how to get a wealthy groom, and to Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s great surprise, the Bennets don’t even hire a governess for their education. Young women had to lure a wealthy man who would take care of his bride—and his bride’s family—into matrimony.
A great chance appears for the young sisters when Mr Bingley, a gentleman, visits his country house in Meryton. Mr. Bingley falls in love with the older Bennet sister, Jane, the moment he sets his eyes on her. Unfortunately, the encounter between his dear companion, Mr Darcy, and Jane’s sister, Elizabeth, does not go that well.
Mr. Darcy is skeptical about the Bennets’ motives behind a potential marriage as they seem desperate to earn Bingley’s good opinion, making Elizabeth think that Darcy is a shallow and miserable fellow. As the affections of Jane and Mr. Bingley grow for each other, Elizabeth and Darcy’s prejudice for each other threatens to eat them alive.
As the story goes on and the reader’s anguish only grows, we see the other Bennet sisters, especially Lydia, who is often paralleled even by her father with young women’s follies.
Between balls, new acquaintances, unexpected marriage proposals, passionate stares, trips around the English countryside and Derbyshire, and even the appearance of rivals such as Mr Wickham, Elizabeth and Darcy come up with one mutual conclusion; they are two sides of the same coin.
"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."
Caroline Bingley, in her attempt to get Darcy’s attention during their time in Netherfield, pretends that she finds the company of a good book more intriguing than playing cards with her brother-in-law, Mr Hunt. Of course, Miss Bingley knows that Darcy is not interested in cards. Certainly, of all the books she chooses the second volume of what Darcy is currently reading. I guess we could say she is Austen’s pick-me girl. Poor Mr Darcy…
Nevertheless, a true lover of books can completely relate to the literal meaning of her words.
"I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it himself without disguise."
In Netherfield Park, a rather interesting conversation unfolds when Caroline Bingley and Elizabeth take a walk around the room. Caroline’s intention is quite obvious; she wants to stand out next to Elizabeth and even dares Darcy to comment on it. However, when she asks what is Elizabeth’s opinion of Darcy, Lizzie indirectly accuses him of deception. Considering himself a perfect being with no flaws actually proves one of his faults: his arrogance.
"It is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?"
Mr Bennet addresses this quite humorous and ironic line to his cousin, Mr Collins, upon his visit to Longbourn. Mr Collins, as the rightful heir of the estate, is a shallow and rather comic persona who tries to charm his young cousins into marriage. Of course, Mr Bennet and Lizzie see right through his pretentious ways.
"An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do."
It is very emotional to see Lizzie’s father taking her side on the matter of marrying Mr. Collins to inherit the estate. Considering the family’s situation and Ms. Bennet’s hysteria, the love and respect Mr. Bennet has for his daughter is inspiring and moving.
"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."
During Elizebeth’s visit to Rosings Park, she has the chance to meet with Darcy again. When, in her dread, Lady Catherine asks her to play the pianoforte, she reluctantly agrees, giving her audience a warning of her incompetence as an artist. Mr. Darcy approaches to hear her playing, but of course, Lizzie can only guess his intention is to laugh at her. She feels the need to shield herself in his presence once again, but Darcy has gotten to know her better than this.
"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."
One of the significant moments, romantically speaking. On Darcy’s second attempt to express his feelings for Lizzie, he makes it clear that his affection was genuine for a long time. Elizabeth wants to know when was the moment he fell in love with her and his answer is an all-time favorite. So, next time you are in the middle of a love confession think of what Darcy said to Lizzie. It will always work, trust us.
"What are men to rocks and mountains?"
Lizzie is enchanted by the magnificence of the scenery on her journey with her uncle and aunt. She merely observes the insignificance of human beings compared to the wonders of nature. This scene adds to her romantic personality, inspires the lady’s imagination, but also indicates Lizzie’s humbleness in contrast to her prevailing pride when it comes to Darcy.
Little did Austen know of our modern world. Fortunately, those beautiful natural sights will always be described on book pages.
"Do anything rather than marry without affection."
A rather sweet quote coming from a dear sister, who always loved and supported Lizzie’s romantic view of life. Jane and Lizzie were dreamers who believed in love till the very end, although their status could not afford such romantic visions.
Clearly, Jane does not believe in her ears when Elizabeth announces her engagement to Darcy. Since Elizabeth had not expressed anything but her displeasure toward Mr. Darcy at the beginning, Jane could not imagine what transpired between them, later.
"From the very beginning—from the first moment, I may almost say—of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."
Oh, how our hearts ached for Mr. Darcy at this point. But then again, he needed to hear some harsh words in order to consider Lizzie’s role in all this. Our girl, Elizabeth, set him straight. Her explosion could be interpreted as a way to demand respect from the man who was courting her. Furthermore, by mentioning her sister’s broken engagement and Wickham’s case, she was actually giving him the chance to explain himself. Go, Lizzie!
Surely, a film based on a book is a challenging project. The Pride and Prejudice movie adaptation was, fortunately, a success. The cast, the setting, the dialogues, and the atmosphere are magnificent. The overall approach—in our humble opinion—is satisfactory.
So let’s talk about some incredible scenes that accompanied Jane Austen’s most favorite quotes.
"I could easily forgive his pride if he had not mortified mine."
Elizabeth’s first impression of Mr. Darcy is expressed honestly to her sister, Jane. What is precious about this scene is the sisterly bond as they excitedly “compare notes” about the gentlemen attending the ball that had just taken place in Meryton. Lizzie is charmed by Mr. Darcy but is also certain that she won’t ever have a chance with him. So, as a proud young woman, she would never entertain the idea of getting together with him. Another great truth revealed in this scene is that they are very much alike when it comes to pride.
"What a superbly featured room and what excellent boiled potatoes! Many years since I've had such an exemplary vegetable."
This version of Mr. Collins is so precious! It seems like the actor’s movements and expressions complete the image of the book character. His presence is rather comical as a way to provide a brief break from the drama. In this scene, Collins makes a comment that, in his own mind, would be flattering. We are not sure about the Bennets’ cooking skills, but those potatoes definitely appreciated his remark.
"I do not have the talent of conversing easily with people I have never met before."
We all have a soft spot for introverted people—especially when it comes to Mr. Darcy. Those bright puppy eyes would melt the coldest heart. He is trying to explain his cold behavior during the balls to Elizabeth; when he just stood there, hating everyone. Well, trying means caring, dear Lizzie!
"First, I must tell you I've been the most unmitigated and comprehensive ass."
Mr. Bingley finally finds the courage to propose and the first thing he says as falling on one knee before Jane is that he screwed up. Greatly appreciated! He apologizes because he was not sure about her feelings at first. He has the sweetest and most innocent face while looking at his beloved Jane. In contrast to Mr. Darcy, Bingley has always been straightforward about his affections. He is in love and it suits him!
“So what do you recommend to encourage affection?”
“Dancing. Even if one’s partner is barely tolerable.”
Woohoo, Lizzie is on fire!
During the first ball, Darcy refused to engage himself in conversation or ask any young woman to dance. When Bingley suggests that Elizabeth seems quite agreeable, he merely replies that she is barely tolerable. She overheard and she could not let him go unpunished. Her witty reply to Darcy’s innocent question rang the war bell.
"Not all of us can afford to be romantic."
Sad but true…
Charlotte Lucas is definitely a typical young lady who reflects the social expectations of a woman in 18th-century England. She accepted Collin’s marriage proposal, because she was getting older and her prospects to marry were not at all promising. That was the common truth outside the fictional world.
"I love you, most ardently."
Screaming, crying, throwing up… Wet Darcy confessing his love and proposing to Elizabeth? Oh, yeah!
The tension, the yearning, the battle of wits, the scenery, everything is perfect in this scene. We all screamed at Lizzie to kiss him, kiss him. But no. She had to make a statement and swear she won’t marry him. Bummer!
"No. No, I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn. Makes it all so much more enjoyable, don't you think?"
Ah! The moment when they finally danced together came—more like a knives-out situation if you ask us. Elizabeth was so angry and couldn’t hold her bitterness back since she had heard from Wickham how Darcy had denied him his inheritance. At this point, she tries to hold herself back and not attack him—physically at least. So she makes her comments as sharp as a blade.
"You have bewitched me, body and soul."
Our fragile hearts can’t take it anymore. He lo—he loves, he loves her! In the scene, he appears through the mist, in his beautiful blue coat, and someone would think he is a lovely specter. But no. He is very real and on his way to get his girl. Lucky you, Elizabeth Bennet—or shall we say Ms. Darcy?
"There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil—a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome."
"And your defect is to hate everybody."
"And yours,” he replied with a smile, “is willfully to misunderstand them."
During Jane Bennet’s visit to Netherfield, Lizzie and Darcy are engaged in yet another great battle of wits, while Caroline Bingley does her best to undermine Lizzie. Here the two main characters seem to realize the pleasure they take in arguing with each other, as equals in everything but status and wealth.
“You are thinking how insupportable it would be to spend many evenings in such tedious company.”
“No, indeed, my mind was more agreeably engaged. I've been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.”
“And may one dare ask whose the eyes that inspire these reflections?”
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s.”
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I am all astonishment.”
At a tea party, Darcy and Elizabeth meet again, and it is clear that he is interested in her. He literally can’t take his eyes off the woman, and won’t ever falter as Caroline Bingley sneaks behind him to start undermining everyone in the room. He doesn’t hesitate to admit that Elizabeth has captivated him causing Caroline to retreat rather disappointed. We are proud of you, Mr. Darcy.
An extra treat for our bookworms
Here’s a moment from the movie we never really got over:
No words articulated, no quote to remember. Just the eyes that speak volumes! Or should we say hands? God only knows how much Darcy craved to touch Elizabeth. She, from her side, was dumbfounded. Darcy acted out of character with that gentle and even warm gesture—no one would expect it from him at that point.
If you are already downloading the book on your Kindle, checking it out on Amazon, or running to your neighborhood’s bookshop, then our job is done. In case you have already read the book, the series and the movie are worth your while. And for those of you who have done all the above, go and re-read, re-watch, and re-love!
As Austen said: “a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife,” so we suggest you subscribe to the CREW Newsletter to read more about the said man and about all the Pride and Prejudice Characters.
We would definitely suggest you check our post about the Regency Romance, to get a better view of Darcy and Elizabeth’s lives and love story.
Nikki Sheryee insists that she’s “up to no good” whenever she’s in the company of books. Armed with a degree in English Language and Literature, she wields the power of words like a mischievous wizard. Her lifelong dream? To be the editor who sprinkles magic dust on manuscripts! To Nikki, a book is more alive than a caffeinated squirrel on roller skates. Readers nurture it, cuddle it, scold it, and occasionally challenge it to a duel! But in the end, a book does its own thing, pulling at our heartstrings and revealing our inner human-ness. Nikki’s favorite pastime? Well, it’s none other than the noble art of daydreaming! And she wears her daydreamer’s badge with pride, sharing this delightful delusion with the crème de la crème of her friends.
