Top 50 Quotes From Pride & Prejudice

Caroline: Miss Elizabeth, let us take a turn about the room.
[Caroline takes Lizzy's arm in hers, and they walk gracefully in a circle around the room]
Caroline: It's refreshing, is it not after sitting so long in one attitude?
Elizabeth: And it is a small kind of accomplishment, I suppose.
Caroline: Will you not join us, Mr. Darcy?
Mr. Darcy: You can only have two motives, Caroline and I would interfere with either.
Caroline: What can he mean?
Elizabeth: Our surest way of disappointing him will be to ask him nothing about it.
Caroline: But Do tell us, Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Darcy: Either you are in each other's confidence and have secret affairs to discuss, or you are conscious that your figures appear to the greatest advantage by walking. If the first, I should get in your way. If the second, I can admire you much better from here.

Charlotte: Not all of us can afford to be romantic, Lizzy.

Mr. Bennet: Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins... And I will never see you again if you do.

Elizabeth: [about Mr. Darcy] He is not proud. I was wrong, I was entirely wrong about him. You don't know him, Papa. If I told you what he's really like, what he's done.
Mr. Bennet: What has he done?

Caroline: [Elizabeth enters the room, Darcy stands. Caroline is appalled] Good Lord, Miss Elizabeth. Did you walk here?
Elizabeth: I did.
[long pause]
Elizabeth: I'm so sorry. How is my sister?
Mr. Darcy: She's upstairs.
Elizabeth: [another pause; she smiles and curtseys] Thank you.
[she leaves the room]
Caroline: My goodness, did you see her hem? Six inches deep in mud. She looked positively mediaeval.

Elizabeth: Did I just agree to dance with Mr. Darcy?
Charlotte: I dare say you will find him amiable.
Elizabeth: It would be most inconvenient since I have sworn to loathe him for all eternity.
[both laugh]

Elizabeth: If he cannot percieve her regard, he is a fool.
Charlotte: We are all fools in love.

Mr. Darcy: I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.
Elizabeth: Sir, I appreciate the struggle you have been through, and I am very sorry to have caused you pain. Believe me, it was unconsciously done.
Mr. Darcy: Is this your reply?
Elizabeth: Yes, sir.
Mr. Darcy: Are you... are you laughing at me?
Elizabeth: No.
Mr. Darcy: Are you *rejecting* me?
Elizabeth: I'm sure that the feelings which, as you've told me have hindered your regard, will help you in overcoming it.
Mr. Darcy: Might I ask why, with so little endeavor at civility, I am thus repulsed?
Elizabeth: And I might as well enquire why, with so evident a design of insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your better judgment.

Elizabeth: Are you too proud Mr. Darcy? And would you consider pride a fault or a virtue?
Mr. Darcy: That I couldn't say.
Elizabeth: Because we're doing our best to find a fault in you.
Mr. Darcy: Maybe it's that I find it hard to forgive the follies and vices of others, or their offenses against me. My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.
Elizabeth: Oh, dear, I cannot tease you about that. What a shame, for I dearly love to laugh.
Caroline: A family trait, I think.

Elizabeth: He's been a fool about so many things, about Jane, and others... but then, so have I. You see, he and I are so similar.
[starts laughing helplessly]
Elizabeth: We've been nonsensical! Papa, I...
Mr. Bennet: [has tears in his eyes and starts laughing, softly] You really do love him, don't you?
Elizabeth: Very much.

Mr. Bingley: I've never seen so many pretty girls in my life!
Mr. Darcy: You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room.
Mr. Bingley: She is the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld. But her sister Elizabeth is very agreeable.
Mr. Darcy: Thoroughly tolerable, I daresay, but not handsome enough to tempt me. You'd better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles. You're wasting your time with me.

Mr. Bennet: [exits study, finds four of his daughters eavesdropping] Good heavens. People.

[last lines, UK version]
Mr. Bennet: If any young men come for Mary or Kitty, for heaven's sake, send them in. I'm quite at my leisure.

Mr. Darcy: You must know... surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love--I love--I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.

Mr. Darcy: Do you talk, as a rule, while dancing?
Elizabeth: No... No, I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn... Makes it all so much more enjoyable, don't you think?

Mr. Darcy: I... do not have the talent of conversing easily with people I have never met before.
Elizabeth: Perhaps you should take your aunt's advice and practice?

[last lines]
[US version]
Mr. Darcy: How are you this evening, my dear?
Elizabeth: Very well... although I wish you would not call me "my dear."
Mr. Darcy: [chuckles] Why?
Elizabeth: Because it's what my father always calls my mother when he's cross about something.
Mr. Darcy: What endearments am I allowed?
Elizabeth: Well let me think..."Lizzy" for every day, "My Pearl" for Sundays, and..."Goddess Divine"... but only on *very* special occasions.
Mr. Darcy: And... what should I call you when I am cross? Mrs. Darcy...?
Elizabeth: No! No. You may only call me "Mrs. Darcy"... when you are completely, and perfectly, and incandescently happy.
Mr. Darcy: [he snickers] Then how are you this evening... Mrs. Darcy?
[kisses her on the forehead]
Mr. Darcy: Mrs. Darcy...
[kisses her on the right cheek]
Mr. Darcy: Mrs. Darcy...
[kisses her on the nose]
Mr. Darcy: Mrs. Darcy...
[kisses her on the left cheek]
Mr. Darcy: Mrs. Darcy...
[finally kisses her on the mouth]

Mr. Darcy: May I have the next dance, Miss Elizabeth?
Elizabeth: [taken aback] You may.

Lady: Now tell me once and for all: Are you engaged to him?
Elizabeth: I am not.
Lady: And will you promise never to enter into such an engagement?
Elizabeth: I will not and I certainly never shall. You have insulted me in every possible way, and can now have nothing further to say.
[Goes towards the door]
Elizabeth: I must ask you to leave immediately.
[Opens door]
Elizabeth: Good night.
Lady: [Storms out] I have never been thus treated in my entire life.

Mrs. Bennet: But she doesn't like him. I thought she didn't like him.
Jane: So did I, so did we all. We must have been wrong.
Mrs. Bennet: Wouldn't be the first time, will it?
Jane: No, nor the last I dare say.

Mr. Darcy: Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you... I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgment, my family's expectations, the inferiority of your birth by rank and circumstance. All these things I am willing to put aside and ask you to end my agony.
Elizabeth: I don't understand.
Mr. Darcy: I love you.

Mr. Bennet: Well, if Jane does die, it will be a comfort to know she was in pursuit of Mr. Bingley.
Mrs. Bennet: People do not *die* of colds.
Elizabeth: Though she may well perish with the shame of having such a mother.

Elizabeth: He looks miserable, poor soul.
Charlotte: Miserable he may be, but poor he most certainly is not.
Elizabeth: Tell me.
Charlotte: 10,000 a year and he owns half of Derbyshire.
Elizabeth: The miserable half?

[Mr. Darcy walks next to the piano]
Elizabeth: You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all your state to hear me, but I won't be alarmed even if your sister does play so well.
Mr. Darcy: I am well enough acquainted with you, Miss Elizabeth, to know that I can not alarm you, even should I wish it.

Mr. Bennet: How happy for you, Mr. Collins, to possess a talent for flattering with such... delicacy.
Elizabeth: Do these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are they the result of previous study?
Mr. Collins: They arise chiefly from what is passing of the time. And though I do sometimes amuse myself with arranging such little elegant compliments, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible.
Elizabeth: Oh, believe me, no one would suspect your manners to be rehearsed.

Mr. Bingley: [overheard by Charlotte and Elizabeth] But her sister Elizabeth is very agreeable.
Mr. Darcy: Thoroughly tolerable, I dare say, but not handsome enough to tempt *me*. You'd better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles. You're wasting your time with me.
[the two men depart]
Charlotte: Count your blessings, Lizzy. If he liked you, you'd have to talk to him.
Elizabeth: Precisely. As it is I wouldn't dance with him for all of Darbyshire, let alone the miserable half.

Elizabeth: And that put paid to it. I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love?
Mr. Darcy: I thought that poetry was the food of love.
Elizabeth: Of a fine stout love, it may. But if it is only a vague inclination I'm convinced one poor sonnet will kill it stone dead
Mr. Darcy: So what do you recommend to encourage affection?
Elizabeth: Dancing. Even if one's partner is barely tolerable.

Mr. Darcy: Tell me, do you and your sisters very often walk to Meryton?
Elizabeth: Yes, we often walk to Meryton. It's a great opportunity to meet new people. In fact, when you met us, we'd just had the pleasure of forming a new acquaintance.
Mr. Darcy: Mr Wickham's blessed with such happy manners, as may ensure his making friends. Whether he is capable of retaining them, is less certain.
Elizabeth: He's been so unfortunate as to lose your friendship. I dare say that is an irreversible event.
Mr. Darcy: It is. Why do you ask such a question?
Elizabeth: To make out your character.
Mr. Darcy: What have you discovered?
Elizabeth: Very little. I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly.
Mr. Darcy: I hope to afford you more clarity in the future.

Elizabeth: I'm very fond of walking.
Mr. Darcy: Yes... yes I know.

Elizabeth: What a beautiful pianoforte.
Georgiana: My brother gave it to me. He shouldn't have.
Mr. Darcy: Yes, I should've.
Georgiana: Oh, very well then.
Mr. Darcy: Easily persuaded, is she not?
Elizabeth: Your unfortunate brother once had to put up with my playing for a whole evening.
Georgiana: But he says you play so well.
Elizabeth: Then he has perjured himself most profoundly.
Mr. Darcy: No I said, "played quite well."
Elizabeth: Oh, "quite well" is not "very well." I'm satisfied.

Mr. Collins: [Talking about the potatoes] It's been many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable.

Mr. Collins: Charlotte, come here.
Charlotte: Has the pig escaped again?
[looks out window]
Charlotte: Oh. It's Lady Catherine.

Elizabeth: [after meeting Mr. Darcy and overhearing his remark about her] I could more easily forgive his vanity had he not wounded mine.

Elizabeth: Now if every man in the room does not end the evening in love with you then I am no judge of beauty.
Jane: [giggles] Or men.
Elizabeth: [laughs brightly] No, they are far too easy to judge.
Jane: They're not all bad.
Elizabeth: Humorless poppycocks, in my limited experience.
Jane: One of these days, Lizzy, someone will catch your eye and then you'll have to watch your tongue.

Elizabeth: Only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony, which is why I will end up an old maid.

Elizabeth: [as she writes to Jane, Darcy suddenly enters] Mr.Darcy.
[Darcy bows, Elizabeth stands and curtseys]
Elizabeth: Please, do be seated.
[no reponse]
Elizabeth: [silence] Mr and Mrs Collins have gone to the village.
Mr. Darcy: [nods and looks around the room] This is a charming house. I believe my aunt did a great deal to it when Mr.Collins first arrived.
Elizabeth: I believe so. She could not have bestowed her kindness on a more grateful subject.
[more silence, neither one of them know what to say]
Elizabeth: Shall I call for some tea?
Mr. Darcy: No, thank you.
[a few brief more moments of silence]
Mr. Darcy: Good day, Miss Elizabeth, it's been a pleasure.
[rushes out, passing by Charlotte]
Charlotte: [to Elizabeth] What have you done to poor Mr.Darcy?
Elizabeth: ...I have no idea.

Elizabeth: Only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony.

Elizabeth: If I was uncivil, then that is some excuse. But I have other reasons, you know I have.
Mr. Darcy: What reasons?
Elizabeth: Do you think anything might tempt me to accept the hand of the man who has ruined, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most beloved sister? Do you deny that you separated a young couple who loved each other, exposing your friend to censure of the world for caprice and my sister to derision for disappointed hopes, involving them both in misery of the acutest kind?
Mr. Darcy: I do not deny it.
Elizabeth: How could you do it?

Mr. Bennet: I cannot believe that anyone can deserve you... but it apppears I am overruled. So, I heartily give my consent.
Elizabeth: [kissing and hugging him] Thank you.
Mr. Bennet: I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy.

Mr. Bennet: Lizzy, are you out of your senses? I thought you hated the man.
Elizabeth: No, Papa.
Mr. Bennet: He's rich, to be sure, and you will have more fine carriages than Jane. But will that make you happy?
Elizabeth: Have you no objection other than your belief in my indifference?
Mr. Bennet: None at all. We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of fellow... but that would be nothing if you really liked him.
Elizabeth: I do like him.
Mr. Bennet: Well...
Elizabeth: I love him.

Mr. Bingley: [Practicing proposing, with Mr. Darcy as Jane] Miss Bennett.
Mr. Darcy: [Bows] Mr. Bingley.

Mr. Darcy: Are you so severe on your own sex?
Elizabeth: I never saw such a woman. She would certainly be a fearsome thing to behold.

Georgiana: [to Elizabeth on playing the piano] Do you play duets Miss Bennet?
Elizabeth: Only when forced.
Georgiana: [to Darcy] Brother, you must force her.

[ordered to order Lizzie to accept Mr. Collins's proposal]
Mr. Bennet: Your mother insists on you marrying Mr. Collins...
Mrs. Bennet: Yes! Or I'll never see her again!
Mr. Bennet: Well, Lizzy, from this day henceforth it seems you must be a stranger to one of your parents...
Mrs. Bennet: Who will maintain you when your father's gone?
Mr. Bennet: Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins... and I will never see you again if you do.
Mrs. Bennet: Mr. Bennet!
Elizabeth: Thank you, Papa.

Mr. Darcy: So this is your opinion of me. Thank you for explaining so fully. Perhaps these offences might have been overlooked had not your pride been hurt by my honesty...
Elizabeth: *My* pride?
Mr. Darcy: ...in admitting scruples about our relationship. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?
Elizabeth: And those are the words of a gentleman. From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.
[they look at each other for a long time as though about to kiss]
Mr. Darcy: Forgive me, madam, for taking up so much of your time.

Mrs. Bennet: Now she'll have to stay the night. Exactly as I predicted.
Mr. Bennet: Good grief, woman. Your skills in the art of matchmaking are positively occult.
[Mrs. Bennet giggles]
Elizabeth: Though I don't think, Mama, you can reasonably take credit for making it rain.

Elizabeth: Do you dance, Mr. Darcy?
Mr. Darcy: Not if I can help it.

Elizabeth: Charlotte!
Charlotte: My dear Lizzy. I've come to tell you the news. Mr. Collins and I are... engaged.
Elizabeth: To be married?
Charlotte: Yes of course. What other kind of engaged is there?
[Lizzy looks shocked]
Charlotte: Oh, for Heaven's sake! Don't look at me like that Lizzy! There is no earthly reason why I shouldn't be as happy with him as any other.
Elizabeth: But he's ridiculous!
Charlotte: Oh hush! Not all of us can afford to be romantic. I've been offered a comfortable home and protection. There's alot to be thankful for.
Elizabeth: But...
Charlotte: I'm twenty-seven years old, I've no money and no prospects. I'm already a burden to my parents and I'm frightened. So don't you judge me, Lizzy. Don't you dare judge me!

Elizabeth: [after reading Mr. Darcy's letter] I've been so blind.

Jane: [Accepting Mr. Bingley's proposal] Yes. A thousand times yes.