Persuasion by Jane Austen Quotes

Jane Austen’s Persuasion is a novel of love, loss, and second chances. Published in 1818, six months after Austen’s death, Persuasion tells the story of Anne Elliot, a 27-year-old woman who regrets breaking off her engagement with Captain Frederick Wentworth eight years ago, due to the influence of her family and friends.

When Wentworth returns from the Napoleonic Wars as a wealthy and successful naval officer, Anne has to face her past and her feelings, while dealing with the pressure of her snobbish relatives and the attentions of other suitors.

Persuasion is widely regarded as Austen’s most mature and poignant work, as well as her most autobiographical. It explores themes such as the value of constancy, the power of persuasion, the importance of self-knowledge, and the role of social class in romance.

It also features some of the most memorable and beautiful quotes in literature, which reveal Austen’s insight, wit, and wisdom.

In this article, we will look at some of the best quotes from Persuasion, and what they can teach us about life, love, and happiness.

Quotes about Persuasion

• “I do not think I ever opened a book in my life which had not something to say upon woman’s inconstancy. Songs and proverbs, all talk of woman’s fickleness. But perhaps you will say, these were all written by men.” – Anne Elliot
• “If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that it was to persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk. When I yielded, I thought it was to duty; but no duty could be called in aid here. In marrying a man indifferent to me, all risk would have been incurred and all duty violated.” – Anne Elliot
• “She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.” – Narrator
• “He had an affectionate heart. He must love somebody.” – Narrator
• “She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! alas! she must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.” – Narrator

These quotes show how persuasion can affect one’s choices and feelings, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

Anne Elliot is a victim of persuasion, as she lets others decide her fate and happiness. She gives up her true love, Wentworth, because of the opinions of her family and friends, who think he is not good enough for her.

She later realizes her mistake and suffers from regret and loneliness. She also learns that persuasion can be used for good or evil, depending on the motives and intentions of the persuader.

She is tempted by the flattering words of Mr. Elliot, her cousin, and heir, who tries to win her over with his charm and manners, but who has a hidden agenda. She is also influenced by the advice of her friend, Lady Russell, who means well but does not understand Anne’s feelings or wishes.

Anne has to find her own voice and judgment and follow her own heart, in order to achieve happiness and fulfillment.

Quotes About Love

• “You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope…I have loved none but you.” – Captain Wentworth
• “There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison.” – Narrator
• “He was not only a very old and intimate friend of the family, but he had particularly attached himself to Anne, with a kindness which had been continually increasing from the spring of the year.” – Narrator
• “She had been the friend and companion of all his uncertainties and struggles. She had known him under every possible circumstance that could test the merit of a man. She had seen him in his brightest and his darkest hours.” – Narrator
• “They were gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love.” – Narrator

These quotes show how love can endure and grow, despite time, distance, and obstacles. Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot are the epitome of true love, as they never stop loving each other, even after eight years of separation and silence.

They have a deep and lasting connection, based on mutual understanding, respect, and admiration. They share the same values, interests, and feelings, and they complement each other’s personalities and strengths.

They also support each other through difficulties and challenges, and they rejoice in each other’s successes and achievements. They are the perfect match, and they prove that love can overcome any barrier if it is strong and sincere.

Quotes about Happiness

• “She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.” – Narrator
• “She had been the friend and companion of all his uncertainties and struggles. She had known him under every possible circumstance that could test the merit of a man. She had seen him in his brightest and his darkest hours.” – Narrator
• “She had soon the pleasure of feeling that he was not in the smallest degree altered by time, that he was not less perfect than he had been eight years before.” – Narrator
• “He had been most warmly attached to her, and had never seen a woman since whom he thought her equal; but, except from some natural sensation of curiosity, he had no desire of meeting her again.” – Narrator
• “She had found her heart again and had the pleasure of thinking of herself as a rational creature.” – Narrator

These quotes show how happiness can be achieved and maintained, by following one’s own path and being true to oneself.

Anne Elliot is a heroine who grows and changes throughout the novel, as she learns from her mistakes and experiences. She starts as a passive and resigned character, who has given up on her dreams and hopes, and who lives in the shadow of her vain and selfish family.

She ends as a confident and independent woman, who has reclaimed her happiness and dignity, and who has fulfilled her potential and aspirations. She finds happiness in herself, in her love, and in her life, by being faithful to her own values, feelings, and desires.

She also finds happiness in others, by being kind, generous, and compassionate, and by forming meaningful and lasting relationships with people who appreciate and respect her.

I hope you enjoyed reading these quotes from Persuasion, and that they inspired you to read or re-read this wonderful novel by Jane Austen.