Jane Austen (1775 – 1817) was an esteemed British author known for six distinguished novels that secured her legacy in literary history. Despite myths of her modesty when it came to writing (all of her novels were published anonymously) she cared deeply about getting published and being read. Her first novel, Sense and Sensibility, was published in 1911 under the nom de plume “A Lady.”

Sense and Sensibility is an exquisitely crafted portrait of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood who are forced to leave their home after their father’s death. Like other women of their time and class, they must make good marriages. Along the way they encounter meddling matriarchs, conniving rakes, and competitive contemporaries, all standing in their path to love and security.

Following are some beloved quotes from Sense and Sensibility, demonstrating Jane Austen’s trademark wisdom and subtle wit. Read More→