This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Cal Lutheran chapter.
- “She was sensible and clever, but eager in everything: her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation,” (Sense and Sensibility). Never sacrifice your passions in order to look clever. No one truly interesting was ever moderate.
- “I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal,” (Correspondence). Jane Austen was quite the sass queen. Have you ever been intent on disliking someone who’s just too amazing to hate?
- “If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad,” (Northanger Abbey). As college women, now is the time to explore. But remember, adventure can usually be found exactly where you are.
- “She is one of those found ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own, and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art,” (Sense and Sensibility). Once more with the sass! Ladies, don’t put down fellow females in order to get a guy. Solidarity, sister!
- “It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies, could they be made to understand how little the heart of man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire,” (Northanger Abbey). Reality check: Guys rarely notice new outfits, hairstyles, and all the effort we put in. So dress in a way that makes you happy! (Or, in refined Georgian style, to win the pure envy of other women).
- “There are as many forms of love as there are moments in time,” (Correspondence). Miss Austen’s stories of friendship, sisterhood, family and relationships are evidence enough.
- “Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion,” (Pride and Prejudice). AKA Haters gonna hate, but Jane Austen’s great.
- “Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love,” (Northanger Abbey). When life gets rough and love brings you down, friends are always the best medicine. (Note: Lorelai Gilmore may be Rory’s mom, but we all want her as a BFF).
- “Give a girl an education and introduce her properly into the world, and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anyone,” (Mansfield Park). This is the Austen-loving collegiate mantra, calling for all women to receive education.
- “A woman can never be too fine when she is all in white,” (Mansfield Park).