25 Elizabeth Bennet Quotes From Pride and Prejudice

Enjoy these Elizabeth Bennet quotes from the central character in the novel Pride and Prejudice.

We can learn many things from Elizabeth’s character: she is intelligent, funny, and independent. 

But as you will see, Elizabeth Bennet’s most profound teaching is that self-discovery is necessary for lasting happiness. 

Tell us your favorite Elizabeth Bennet quote in the comment section. 

What are the benefits of reading Elizabeth Bennet quotes? 

Reading Elizabeth Bennet quotes teaches us the importance of self-reflection and improvement. 

Her love interest in the novel is Mr. Darcy, a proud and wealthy man with whom she has a complicated relationship. 

Their relationship is made difficult by their mutual misconceptions and misunderstanding of each other, but also by Elizabeth’s stubborn nature. 

A character in the late 18th century, Elizabeth’s strong will is not desirable in a woman. 

In addition to being strongwilled and stubborn, Elizabeth Bennet has many other qualities, including:

• Wit

• Intelligence

• Confidence

• Independence

• A sharp tongue

• A tendency to challenge authority 

She is the second oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and lives in Hertfordshire, England.

Throughout the story, Elizabeth navigates the complex terrain of English society.

She lives in a world where women are expected to marry “up” and secure their financial future, even if it means losing themselves. 

When Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy, she believes she has achieved the rarity of finding true love while fulfilling her societal and family duties.

However, due to her independent nature and their complicated relationship, it isn’t easy for her and Mr. Darcy to get together, and it almost causes her to miss out on her chance for lifelong happiness. 

Elizabeth learns that she must recognize her faults and biases and be more self-aware if she wants lasting love. 

Despite their many obstacles, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s love ultimately triumph over the personal and social barriers that separate them. 

Elizabeth Bennet takes us on her journey of self-discovery, and her independent spirit has made her one of the most beloved protagonists in English literature.

Please enjoy these Elizabeth Bennet quotes!

Top Ten Elizabeth Bennet Quotes

Here is a hand-picked list of the ten best Elizabeth Bennet quotes!

1. “I dearly love a laugh.” — Elizabeth Bennet

2. “Till this moment, I never knew myself.” — Elizabeth Bennet

3. “I am not romantic, you know. I never was.” — Elizabeth Bennet 

4. “Is not general incivility the very essence of love?” — Elizabeth Bennet

5. “You must be the best judge of your own happiness.” — Elizabeth Bennet

6. “I could easily forgive his pride if he had not mortified mine.” — Elizabeth Bennet

7. “I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!” — Elizabeth Bennet

8. “There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others.” — Elizabeth Bennet

9. “One cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.” — Elizabeth Bennet

10. “I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness.” — Elizabeth Bennet

Elizabeth Bennet Quotes About Marriage

Elizabeth has extreme opinions of marriage, as these quotes will show. 

11. “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.” — Elizabeth Bennet

12. “I am determined that only the deepest love will induce me into matrimony.” — Elizabeth Bennet

13. “A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment.” — Elizabeth Bennet

14. “Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor, which is one very strong argument in favor of matrimony.” — Elizabeth Bennet

15. “I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.” — Elizabeth Bennet

Elizabeth’s Feelings About Mr. Darcy

These Elizabeth Bennet quotes reveal her complex emotions for Mr. Darcy. 

16. “Your defect is a propensity to hate everybody.” — Elizabeth Bennet

17. “I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect.” — Elizabeth Bennet

18. “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” — Elizabeth Bennet

19. You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner.” — Elizabeth Bennet

20. “From the very beginning, from the first moment I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike.” — Elizabeth Bennet

Classic Elizabeth Bennet Quotes

Here are more memorable quotes from Elizabeth with various themes.

21. “There is a quickness in her way, which seems to show decided vulgarity.” — Elizabeth Bennet

22. “Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously.” — Elizabeth Bennet

23. “There are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement.” — Elizabeth Bennet

24. “I do not think I ever opened a book in my life which had not something to say upon woman’s inconstancy.” — Elizabeth Bennet

25. “Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.” — Elizabeth Bennet

Other lessons from Elizabeth Bennet

Besides Elizabeth’s important lessons about self-discovery and personal growth, her character also gives us many other valuable insights. 

One is the value of independent thought. 

Elizabeth is strong, independent, and not afraid to speak her mind or challenge social norms. 

She teaches us the value of independent thought and that it is sometimes necessary to question authority. 

Another important insight from Elizabeth Bennet is to love and be loyal to family. 

Her love for her sister Jane is a recurring theme throughout the novel.

She always defends Jane and advocates for her interests.

Elizabeth’s loyalty to Jane illustrates the importance of family bonds and standing by those we love. 

Tell us your favorite quote in the comment section. 

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