- Mr. Elton: As always, I would like to begin today with some of the most spiritually uplifting word from the Old Testament; words that I have found most comforting. "Let deceitful lips be made dumb."
- Emma: [about Frank's absence] He has urgent business... He has gone to London... to have his haircut.
- Mr. Knightley: His hair cut?
- [Sarcastically]
- Mr. Knightley: Of course imperative business indeed.
- Mr. Woodhouse: You must wrap up warm, Emma, in case some of the young dancers do something remarkably reprehensible, like opening a window.
- Emma: We have heard that you are very musical, Mrs. Elton.
- Mrs. Elton: Oh, I dote on it, dote! As I said to Mr. E, "Don't give me two carriages, don't give me enormous houses, but I could not live without music." No. Life would be a blank to me.
- Mrs. Elton: He's always praising my dresses. See how he leads the way to talk to me. What do you think of this one? Mmm? Rather handsome, I think. Not sure if it's over-trimmed? I have the greatest dislike of the idea of being over-trimmed, quite a horror of finery.
- Emma: I was completely mistaken in Mr. Elton. There is a littleness about him which you saw and I did not. He always was a small man, made smaller by his wife! I was convinced he was in love with Harriet. How could I have been so stupid?
- Mr. Knightley: I will do you the justice of saying that you would have chosen better for him than he did for himself. Miss Smith has some first-rate qualities, infinitely preferable to a sensible man than Mrs. Elton. I was surprised by our conversation.
- Jane Fairfax: There are plenty of places which deal in the governess trade.
- Mrs. Elton: Oh, dear! You make it sound like slavery.
- Emma: We know how highly you think of Jane Fairfax.
- Mr. Knightley: Anyone may know how highly I think of Miss Fairfax.
- Emma: And yet, you may not be aware how highly. The extent of your admiration may take you by surprise one day.
- Mr. Knightley: There is but one married woman in the world who I could ever allow to invite what guests she pleased to Donwell.
- Mrs. Elton: Mrs. Weston, I suppose.
- Mr. Knightley: No, Mrs. Knightley. And until she is in being, I will manage matters myself.