Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

"Your humility, Mr. Bingley," said Elizabeth, "must disarm reproof."

"Nothing is more deceitful," said Darcy, "than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast."

You shall not, for the sake of one individual, change the meaning of principle and integrity, nor endeavour to persuade yourself or me, that selfishness is prudence, and insensibility of danger security for happiness."

married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her. Respect, esteem, and confidence had vanished for ever; and all his views of domestic happiness were overthrown.

Their parties abroad were less varied than before, and at home she had a mother and sister whose constant repinings at the dullness of everything around them threw a real gloom over their domestic circle; and,

Bennet was restored to her usual querulous serenity;

but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards the party, and spoke to Elizabeth, if not in terms of perfect composure, at least of perfect civility.

She was quite amazed at her own discomposure;

that loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable; that one false step involves her in endless ruin; that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful; and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the undeserving of the other sex."

"But to expose the former faults of any person without knowing what their present feelings were, seemed unjustifiable. We acted with the best intentions."

because their passions were stronger than their virtue,

delicate sense of honour

It is only that he is blessed with greater sweetness of address, and a stronger desire of generally pleasing, than any other man."

You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure."

do anything rather than marry without affection.

"It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when it began.

I know that you could be neither happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed your husband;

let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life.