Quotes from Emma (the novel) and the films

   

“Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.” (Opening sentence)

“There are people, who the more you do for them, the less they will do for themselves.”

“One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.”

“Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting situations, that a young person, who either marries or dies, is sure of being kindly spoken of.”

“Whom are you going to dance with?” asked Mr. Knightley.

   She [Emma] hesitated for a moment, and then replied “With you, if you will ask me.”

   “Will you?” said he, offering his hand.

   “Indeed I will. You have shown that you can dance, and you know we are not really so much brother and sister as to make it at all improper.”

   “Brother and sister! no, indeed.”

“…I hate Italian singing.---There is no understanding a word of it.” ~Harriet Smith


“There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.” ~Emma


“I always deserve the best treatment, because I never put up with any other.” ~Emma

  
"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." ~Mr Knightley

                                                                               ~*~

The Miramax (1996) Emma quotes:


  I can think of nothing less appealing than an evening of watching other people dance. Go    on! ~Mr. Knightley  
[throwing stick for dog to fetch] 
 Then you shall have to dance yourself. ~Emma 
 I have no taste for it. I'd rather fetch that stick. ~Mr. Knightley
 I'll try to remember to bring it to the ball. ~Emma
 [pause] I just want to stay here where it's cozy. ~Mr. Knightley 



  Dear Diary, Today I tried not to think about Mr. Knightly. I tried not to think about him when I discussed the menu with Cook... I tried not to think about him in the garden where I thrice plucked the petals off a daisy to acertain his feelings for Harriet. I don't think we should keep daisies in the garden, they really are a drab little flower. And I tried not to think about him when I went to bed, but something had to be done.
[gets out of bed and replaces a picture of Harriet with a picture of a dog] ~Emma writing her diary

  I rode through the rain! I'd - I'd ride through worse than that if I could just hear your voice telling me that I might, at least, have some chance to win you. ~Mr. Knightley


  It left us speechless, quite speechless I tell you, and we have not stopped talking of it since. ~Miss Bates 


  I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control. ~Emma


  Has an invitation arrived for a party at the Coles? ~Emma  No, thank Heaven. The Coles are nice people, but we should have to go outside to get there. ~Mr. Woodhouse 


Marry me. Marry me, my wonderful, darling friend. ~Mr. Knightley :)


Mr. Knightley, if I have not spoken, it is because I am afraid I will awaken myself from this dream. ~Emma


One does not like to generalize about so many people all at once, Mr. Knightley, but you may be sure that men know nothing about their hearts, whether they be six-and-twenty, or six-and-eighty. ~ Emma

I do not profess to be an expert in the field of fashion (though my friends say I have quite the eye) but I can tell you, there is a shocking lack of satin! ~Mrs. Elton 

"Try not to kill my dogs." ~Mr. Knightley 

                                                                        ~*~

The BBC (2009) Emma quotes:

   "Emma Woodhouse was borne with the sun shining." ~Opening quote 

"That man is so full of himself, I'm surprised he can stay on his horse." ~Mr. Knightley about Mr. Elton

“ ‘Knightley’, indeed. Never seen him in her life, and she calls him ‘Knightley’! Insufferable woman! Horrible, upstart, vulgar being with her ‘Mr E.’ and her ‘caro sposo’ and her carriages and air of pert pretentions and underbred finery. Actually to discover that Mr Knightley is a gentleman, and that the woman who brought me up should be ladylike! I’ve never met her equal! ‘Knightley’, indeed! I’ve known him all my life, and even I don’t call him that!" ~Emma

Emma: You know I love you, I always have and I always will. But we can never marry!! [pause] That's all! [runs out the door] 

Mr Knightley: Emma! [Mr. Knightley chases after Emma] Emma...

Emma: You must know I could never leave him!

Mr Knightley: Of course. Your father. I too have been giving this some thought...

Emma: He has spent the whole of my life terrified that this would happen (that I would be taken away from Hartfield). He could not bare it and I will not do it!

Mr Knightley: As I said... [detains Emma from leaving]. As I said, I've been looking for a salutation.

Emma: There is no salutation!! [bursts into tears again]

Mr Knightley: [takes her hands in his] My heart is here. [Emma is calmer] Now what does it matter where I live, if my heart is in the right place?

Emma: What...

Mr Knightley: I'm moving to Hartfield. For as long as your father lives.

Emma: You would do that... for me?

Mr Knightley: I might walk back and forth a few times a day. {Emma laughs] But... I would do far more, without a second thought. 

[pause]

Mr Knightley: Let's go. Let's go and tell him (Mr. Woodhouse).

Emma: What, now?

Mr Knightley: Mmmm... yes. Now. ~ Emma and Mr. Knightley (I LOVE that scene to pieces) :)

I'm going to ask Mr. Knightley to teach me Chinese. [pause] Do you think Jane, could speak Chinese? ~Emma to Miss Bates 

And then there is the cake to think about...

OH, cake! Surely not.

Yes, father, but you would not want to appear ungenerous?

Of course not, I'm the soul of generosity!

Yes, of course you are... so there must be cake.

NO, no! Cake is bad for you. Especially the young! NO, cake. ~Mr. Woodhouse and Emma

Not a fraction, Miss Smith! the painting... [looks over at Emma]... must be perfect. ~Mr. Elton

This was rich find...

"A mile's walk and a daily scolding of Emma is just what Dr. Perry prescribes." -Emma (about Mr. Knightley)

Isabella: You know, I believe my father would worry. I believe George is not well – he is listless and snappish.

Mr. Knightley: What?

Isabella: You are behaving strangely – not yourself. You did not want to go to dinner with the Cavendishes, you did not wish to take the boys to find frogs in the park.

John Knightley: Some might say hesitation was a perfectly normal response to both those invitations.

I have not seen the 1995 Emma (or whatever the date is) so please excuse my not adding quotes from that Emma.


 God Bless,