Who said “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man is in possession of a good…”?

Verified

Jane Austen. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourcePride and Prejudice (1813)

Find Pride and Prejudice on Amazon · paid link

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Authors A–Z
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man is in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
— Jane Austen
VerifiedPride and Prejudice (1813) · evidenceBachelor

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Pride and Prejudice (1813).

APA

Austen, J. (n.d.). It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man is in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7635-it-is-a-truth-universally-acknowledged-that-a/

MLA

Austen, Jane. “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man is in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7635-it-is-a-truth-universally-acknowledged-that-a/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Austen, Jane. “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man is in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7635-it-is-a-truth-universally-acknowledged-that-a/.

Related quotes

“I would be married, but I'd have no wife, I would be married to a single life.”
— Richard Crashaw
Bachelor

More quotes by Jane Austen

All 36 Jane Austen quotes →