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Charles Dickens Quotes - Page 15

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But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,' faltered Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself. Business!' cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance,

But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,' faltered Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself. Business!' cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The deals of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!

Charles Dickens
Ocean, Men, Hands
Charles Dickens (2009). “The Complete Works of Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Books”, p.17, Cosimo, Inc.

Rich folks may ride on camels, but it ain't so easy for 'em to see out of a needle's eye.

Charles Dickens
Eye, Camels, Ems
Charles Dickens (1867). “The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit”, p.256

A modest ring at the bell at length allayed her fears, and Miss Benton, hurrying into her own room and shutting herself up, in order that she might preserve that appearance of being taken by surprise which is so essential to the polite reception of visitors, awaited their coming with a smiling countenance.

Charles Dickens
Funny, Humorous, Taken
CHARLES DICKENS (1871). “THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, MASTER HUMPHREY'S CLOCK, AND SKETCHES BY "BOZ".”, p.218

The appearance presented by the streets of London an hour before sunrise, on a summer's morning, is most striking even to the few whose unfortunate pursuits of pleasure, or scarcely less unfortunate pursuits of business, cause them to be well acquainted with the scene. There is an air of cold, solitary desolation about the noiseless streets which we are accustomed to see thronged at other times by a busy, eager crowd, and over the quiet, closely-shut buildings, which throughout the day are swarming with life and bustle, that is very impressive.

Charles Dickens
Summer, Morning, Air
Charles Dickens (1839). “Sketches by Boz: Pseud. Illustrative of Every-day Life and Every-day People”, p.55

I feel an earnest and humble desire, and shall do till I die, to increase the stock of harmless cheerfulness.

Charles Dickens
Humble, Desire, Increase
Charles Dickens (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Charles Dickens (Illustrated)”, p.14051, Delphi Classics

There have been occasions in my later life (I suppose as in most lives) when I have felt for a time as if a thick curtain had fallen on all its interest and romance, to shut me out from anything save dull endurance any more. Never has that curtain dropped so heavy and blank, as when my way in life lay stretched out straight before me through the newly-entered road of apprenticeship to Joe.

Charles Dickens
Way In Life, Expectations, Romance
Charles Dickens (2010). “A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations (Oprah's Book Club): Two Novels”, p.411, Penguin

The persons on whom I have bestowed my dearest love lie deep in their graves; but, although the happiness and delight of my life lie buried there too, I have not made a coffin of my heart, and sealed it up for ever on my best affections. Deep affliction has only made them stronger; it ought, I think, for it should refine our nature.

Charles Dickens
Lying, Heart, Thinking
Charles Dickens (1839). “Oliver Twist”, p.221

He was touched in the cavity where his heart should have been, in that nest of addled eggs, where the birds of heaven would have lived if they had not been whistled away, by the fervour of this reproach.

Charles Dickens
Heart, Should Have, Eggs
Charles Dickens (2004). “The Shorter Novels of Charles Dickens”, p.561, Wordsworth Editions

The one great principle of English law is to make business for itself.

Charles Dickens
Law, Principles, Bleak House
Bleak House ch. 39 (1853)

If her eyes had no expression, it was probably because they had nothing to express. If she had few wrinkles, it was because her mind had never traced its name or any other inscription on her face.

Charles Dickens
Character, Eye, Wrinkles
Charles Dickens (2015). “Dickens Ultimate Christmas Collection: The Greatest Stories & Novels for Christmas Time: A Christmas Carol, Doctor Marigold, Oliver Twist, Tom Tiddler's Ground, The Holly-Tree and more (Illustrated): The Best Loved Christmas Classics in One Volume”, p.2746, e-artnow

It's over, and can't be helped, and that's one consolation, as they always say in Turkey, when they cut the wrong man's head off.

Charles Dickens
Cutting, Men, Turkeys
'Pickwick Papers' (1837) ch. 23 (Sam Weller)

Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration.

Charles Dickens
Inspirational, Strong, Home
"Martin Chuzzlewit". Book by Charles Dickens, Chapter 35, 1844.

And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!

Charles Dickens
Christmas, Men, Alive
Charles Dickens (2012). “A Christmas Carol”, p.99, Courier Corporation

The clouds were drifting over the moon at their giddiest speed, at one time wholly obscuring her, at another, suffering her to burst forth in full splendor and shed her light on all the objects around; anon, driving over her again, with increased velocity, and shrouding everything in darkness.

Charles Dickens
Nature, Moon, Clouds
Charles Dickens (1872). “Works”

Your tale is of the longest," observed Monks, moving restlessly in his chair. It is a true tale of grief and trial, and sorrow, young man," returned Mr. Brownlow, "and such tales usually are; if it were one of unmixed joy and happiness, it would be very brief.

Charles Dickens
Grief, Moving, Men
Charles Dickens (1985). “Oliver Twist”, p.259, Dimitrios Spyridon Chytiris

Mr. Bazzard's father, being a Norfolk farmer, would have furiously laid about him with a flail, a pitch-fork, and every agricultural implement available for assaulting purposes, on the slightest hint of his son's having written a play.

Charles Dickens
Funny, Father, Humorous
Charles Dickens (2009). “The Complete Works of Charles Dickens: Edwin Drood and Miscellaneous”, p.207, Cosimo, Inc.

They are Man's and they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance and this girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased.

Charles Dickens
Christmas, Girl, Father
Oldiees Publishing, Charles Dickens (2014). “A Christmas Carol - NOVEL & MOVIE EDITION”, p.34, Oldiees Publishing

I saw that the bride within the bridal dress had withered like the dress, and like the flowers, and had no brightness left but the brightness of her sunken eyes.

Charles Dickens
Flower, Eye, Scary
Charles Dickens (1881). “Great Expectations”, p.78

The town was glad with morning light; places that had shown ugly and distrustful all night long, now wore a smile; and sparkling sunbeams dancing on chamber windows, and twinkling through blind and curtain before sleepers’ eyes, shed light even into dreams, and chased away the shadows of the night.

Charles Dickens
Dream, Morning, Eye
Charles Dickens (2017). “The Complete Novels of Charles Dickens: 20 Illustrated Classics in One Volume: Oliver Twist, The Pickwick Papers, Hard Times, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiosity Shop, Barnaby Rudge, Martin Chuzzlewit, Dombey and Son, David Copperfield…”, p.2072, e-artnow

His wardrobe was extensive-very extensive-not strictly classical perhaps, not quite new, nor did it contain any one garment made precisely after the fashion of any age or time, but everything was more or less spangled; and what can be prettier than spangles!

Charles Dickens
Funny, Fashion, Humorous
Charles Dickens (2016). “Charles Dickens: The Complete Christmas Novels & Tales (Illustrated): 30 Classics in One Volume: A Christmas Carol, The Battle of Life, The Chimes, Oliver Twist, Tom Tiddler's Ground, The Holly-Tree, Doctor Marigold, The Pickwick Papers, Great Expectations and more”, p.3792, e-artnow

They whirled past the dark trees, as feathers would be swept before a hurricane. Houses, gates, churches, hay-stacks, objects of every kind they shot by, with a velocity and noise like roaring waters suddenly let loose. Still the noise of pursuit grew louder, and still my uncle could hear the young lady wildly screaming, "Faster! Faster!"

Charles Dickens
Uncles, Dark, Past
Charles Dickens (1838). “The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club”, p.339

... the woman who grows up with the idea that she is simply to be an amiable animal, to be caressed and coaxed, is invariably a bitterly disappointed woman. A game of chess will cure such a conceit forever. The woman that knows the most, thinks the most, feels the most, is the most. Intellectual affection is the only lasting love. Love that has a game of chess in it can checkmate any man and solve the problem of life.

Charles Dickens
Growing Up, Women, Thinking

... when he saw her sitting there all alone, so young, and good, and beautiful, and kind to him; and heard her thrilling voice, so natural and sweet, and such a golden link between him and all his life's love and happiness, rising out of the silence; he turned his face away, and hid his tears.

Charles Dickens
Beautiful, Sweet, Character
Charles Dickens (2017). “The Complete Novels of Charles Dickens: 20 Illustrated Classics in One Volume: Oliver Twist, The Pickwick Papers, Hard Times, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiosity Shop, Barnaby Rudge, Martin Chuzzlewit, Dombey and Son, David Copperfield…”, p.4160, e-artnow

There is something indefinably keen and wan about her anatomy, and she has a watchful way of looking out of the corners of her eyes without turning her head which could be pleasantly dispensed with, especially when she is in an ill humour and near knives. Through all the good taste of her dress and little adornments, these objections so express themselves that she seems to go about like a very neat she-wolf imperfectly tamed.

Charles Dickens
Character, Eye, Knives
Charles Dickens (1853). “Bleak house. [20 numbers in 19 monthly pts., orig. wrappers.].”, p.111

He had a certain air of being a handsome man-which he was not; and a certain air of being a well-bred man-which he was not. It was mere swagger and challenge; but in this particular, as in many others, blustering assertion goes for proof, half over the world.

Charles Dickens
Character, Men, Air
CHARLES DICKENS (1867). “LITTLE DORRIT”, p.7

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