Elisabeth Bennet – Character Quotes

12 quotes

— Is he indeed? A man without fault?
— That is not possible for anyone. But it has been my study to avoid those weaknesses which expose ridicule.
— Such as vanity, perhaps, and pride?
— Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride... Where there is a superiority of mind, pride will always be under regulation. I have faults, Miss Bennet, but I hope they're not of understanding. My temper I cannot vouch for. It might be called resentful. My good opinion, once
lost, is lost forever.
— That is a failing indeed, but I cannot laugh at it.
— I believe every disposition has a tendency to some evil.
— Your defect is a propensity to hate everyone.
— Yours is wilfully to misunderstand them.

— I fear I am ill qualified to recommend myself to strangers.
— Shall we ask him why? Why a man of sense and education, who has lived in the world, should be ill qualified to recommend himself to strangers?
— I... I have not that talent which some possess, of conversing easily with strangers.
— I do not play this instrument so well as I should wish to, but I have supposed that to be my own fault, because I would not take the trouble of practising!
— You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better. No one privileged of hearing you could think anything wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers.

— I would wish... I should so much like... to marry for love.
— And so you shall, I'm sure. Only take care you fall in love with a man of good fortune.
— Well, I shall try. To please you. And you?
— I am determined...that only the deepest love will induce me into matrimony. So... I shall end an old maid, and teach your 10 children to embroider cushions and play their
instruments very ill.

— All young ladies are accomplished! They sing, they draw, they dance, speak French and German, cover screens, and I know not what!
— Not half a dozen would satisfy my notion of accomplished woman.
— Certainly! No woman can be esteemed accomplished, who does not also possess a certain something in her air, in the manner of walking, in the tone of her voice, her address and expressions. And to this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.
— I'm no longer surprised at you knowing only six accomplished women. I wonder at your knowing any.