Jane Austen

Happiness must preclude false indulgence and physic.

But there was happiness elsewhere which no description can reach.

_she had nothing to do but to forgive herself and be happier than ever_

You may well warn me against such an evil. Human nature is so prone to fall into it!

Well, evil to some is always good to others.

How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!

She was happy, she knew she was happy, and knew she ought to be happy.

He will make you happy, Fanny; I know he will make you happy; but you will make him everything.

Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. _ It is not fair. _ He has fame and profit enough as a poet, and should not be taking the bread out of other people__ mouths. _ I do not like him, and do not mean to like Waverley if I can help it _ but fear I must.

I am no indiscriminate novel reader. The mere trash of the common circulating library I hold in the highest contempt.

To exemplify, -a beautiful glossy nut, which, blessed with original strength, has outlived all the storms of autumn. Not a puncture, not a weak spot any where. -This nut... while so many of its brethren have fallen and been trodden under foot, is still in possession of all the happiness that a hazel-nut can be supposed capable of.

I leave it to be settled, by whomsoever it may concern, whether the tendency of this work be altogether to recommend parental tyranny, or reward filial disobedience.

Those who do not complain are never pitied.

[Mrs. Allen was] never satisfied with the day unless she spent the chief of it by the side of Mrs. Thorpe, in what they called conversation, but in which there was scarcely ever any exchange of opinion, and not often any resemblance of subject, for Mrs. Thorpe talked chiefly of her children, and Mrs. Allen of her gowns.

Obstinate, headstrong girl!

[I]t is well to have as many holds upon happiness as possible.

Why not seize the pleasure at once? -- How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!

A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.