Jane Austen: "Strive for excellence, not perfection."

About 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

Seven years would be insufficient to make some people acquainted with each other, and seven days are more than enough for others.

—Jane Austen

I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them.

—Jane Austen

people agreement fondness

There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.

—Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice

courage

History, real solemn history, I cannot be interested in.… I read it a little as a duty; but it tells me nothing that does not either vex or weary me. The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars and pestilences in every page; the men all so good-for-nothing, and hardly any women at all.

—Jane Austen

war history power women men kings pestilence

Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.

—Jane Austen

silliness sensible

More quotations tagged with “excellence”

Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence.

—H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

excellence

With regard to excellence, it is not enough to know, but we must try to have and use it.

—George Will

excellence

To enjoy the things we ought and to hate the things we ought has the greatest bearing on excellence of character.

—Aristotle

excellence

It is only in your mind that you have to excel, at anything or everything. Of course, it would be very nice to excel at most things. Indeed, we recommend that you try and do your best. But realistically, you are entitled to do the bare minimum to get by. All your accomplishments are just a bonus, something to enjoy, not requirements. You don't have to do anything to prove that you are worthy of existing.

—Aristotle

excellence

High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.

—Charles Kettering

expectations achievement excellence

History

11 Jul 2015 Added