Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously.… Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.

About Jane Austen

Portrait of Jane Austen

Jane Austen ( OST-in, AW-stin; 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English writer known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment on the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century.

More quotations from Jane Austen

I cannot think well of a man who sports with any woman's feelings; and there may often be a great deal more suffered than a stander-by can judge of.

Loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable; that one false step involves her in endless ruin; that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful; and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the undeserving of the other sex.

An agreeable manner may set off handsome features, but can never alter plain ones.

No one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with.

The stream is as good as at first; the little rubbish it collects in the turnings is easily moved away.

History

2 Oct 2023 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously.... Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.