200 years ago, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — one of the most seminal and well-loved books in English literature — was published.  The actual date of publication isn’t clear, but the author had her own copy of the novel in her hands on January 27, 1813 and the Morning Chronicle announced that it was “Published this Day” on January 28.

To celebrate the occasion, here are just a few of Austen’s words of timeless wit and wisdom expressed in her most famous work.

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”

“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.”

“Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride– where these is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation.”

“A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.”

“For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?”

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”

“It is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are about to pass your life.”

“Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then.”

“Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.”

“What delight! What felicity! You give me fresh life and vigour. Adieu to disappointment and spleen. What are men to rocks and mountains?”