Choice Bon Mots, Quotes, & Quips from Lady Susan

Here is a collection of bon mots, quotes and quips from Lady Susan. Even though Jane Austen wrote this epistolary novella in her late teens, she had already developed a keen eye for language and the witty retort that she would later be famous for in her mature novels. Enjoy!

I take London in my way to that insupportable spot, a country village. Lady Susan, Letter 2

I am not quite weak enough to suppose a woman who has behaved with inattention, if not with unkindness, to her own child, should be attached to any of mine. Mrs. Vernon, Letter 3

Where pride and stupidity unite there can be no dissimulation worthy notice. Reginald De Courcy, Letter 4 

It is undoubtedly better to deceive him entirely, and since he will be stubborn he must be tricked. Lady Susan, Letter 5

Where there is a disposition to dislike, a motive will never be wanting. Lady Susan, Letter 5

One is apt, I believe, to connect assurance of manner with coquetry, and to expect that an impudent address will naturally attend an impudent mind. Mrs. Vernon, Letter 6

Education will gain a woman some applause, but will not add one lover to her list–grace and manner, after all, are of the greatest importance. Lady Susan, Letter 7

There is exquisite pleasure in subduing an insolent spirit, in making a person predetermined to dislike acknowledge one’s superiority. Lady Susan, Letter 7

I have never yet found that the advice of a sister could prevent a young man’s being in love if he chose. Lady Susan, Letter 10

[Y]oung men in general do not admit of any enquiry even from their nearest relations into affairs of the heart. Sir Reginald De Courcy, Letter 12

[H]ow little the general report of anyone ought to be credited; since no character, however upright, can escape the malevolence of slander. Reginald De Courcy, Letter 14

She talks vastly well; I am afraid of being ungenerous, or I should say, too well to feel so very deeply. Mrs. Vernon, Letter 15

Consideration and esteem as surely follow command of language as admiration waits on beauty. Lady Susan, Letter 16

Those women are inexcusable who forget what is due to themselves, and the opinion of the world. Lady Susan, Letter 16

There are plenty of books, but it is not every girl who has been running wild the first fifteen years of her life, that can or will read. Mrs. Vernon, Letter 17

In short, when a person is always to deceive, it is impossible to be consistent. Mrs. Vernon, Letter17

Artlessness will never do in love matters; and that girl is born a simpleton who has it either by nature or affectation. Lady Susan, Letter 19

I shall ever despise the man who can be gratified by the passion which he never wished to inspire, nor solicited the avowal of. Lady Susan, Letter 22

[T]hat woman is a fool indeed who, while insulted by accusation, can be worked on by compliments. Lady Susan, Letter 22

Young men are often hasty in their resolutions, and not more sudden in forming than unsteady in keeping them. Lady Susan, Letter 23

I left her almost in silence. It was the greatest stretch of forbearance I could practise. Mrs. Vernon, Letter 24

I ought not to punish him by dismissing him at once after this reconciliation, or by marrying and teazing him for ever. Lady Susan, Letter 25

Flexibility of mind, a disposition easily biassed by others, is an attribute which you know I am not very desirous of obtaining. Lady Susan, Letter 25

Silly woman to expect constancy from so charming a man! Mrs. Johnson, Letter 26

[T]oo old to be agreeable, too young to die. Lady Susan, Letter 29 

That detestable Mrs. Mainwaring, who, for your comfort, has fretted herself thinner and uglier than ever. Mrs. Johnson, Letter 32

My understanding is at length restored, and teaches no less to abhor the artifices which had subdued me than to despise myself for the weakness on which their strength was founded. Reginald De Courcy, Letter 26

I dare say you did all for the best, and there is no defying destiny. Mrs. Johnson, Letter 38

I am tired of submitting my will to the caprices of others; of resigning my own judgment in deference to those to whom I owe no duty, and for whom I feel no respect. Lady Susan, Letter 39

Whether Lady Susan was or was not happy in her second choice, I do not see how it can ever be ascertained; for who would take her assurance of it on either side of the question? The Narrator, The Conclusion

The world must judge from probabilities; she had nothing against her but her husband, and her conscience. The Narrator, The Conclusion