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Charles Dickens Quotes - Page 32

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I think it impossible, utterly impossible, for any Englishman to live here [in America], and be happy.

I think it impossible, utterly impossible, for any Englishman to live here [in America], and be happy.

Charles Dickens
Thinking, America, Impossible
"American Notes".

Cleanliness is next to Godliness, and some people do the same by their religion.

Charles Dickens
People, Next, Cleanliness
1860-1 Great Expectations, ch.4.

Old Marley was dead as a doornail... The wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile.

Charles Dickens
Book, Language, Marley

Château and hut, stone face and dangling figure, the red stain on the stone floor, and the pure water in the village well-thousands of acres of land-a whole province of France-all France itself-lay under the night sky, concentrated into a faint hairbreadth line. So does a whole world, with all its greatnesses and littlenesses, lie in a twinkling star.

Charles Dickens
Nature, Stars, Lying
Charles Dickens (2012). “A Tale of Two Cities (Illustrated)”, p.171, Top Five Books LLC

The rich, sweet smell of the hayricks rose to his chamber window; the hundred perfumes of the little flower-garden beneath scented the air around; the deep-green meadows shone in the morning dew that glistened on every leaf as it trembled in the gentle air: and the birds sang as if every sparkling drop were a fountain of inspiration to them.

Charles Dickens
Sweet, Morning, Nature
Charles Dickens (1838). “The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club”, p.52

Being that rare sort of old girl that she receives Good to her arms without a hint that it might be Better and catches light from any little spot of darkness near her.

Charles Dickens
Girl, Character, Light
Charles Dickens (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Charles Dickens (Illustrated)”, p.5467, Delphi Classics

Oliver Twist has asked for more!

Charles Dickens
Character, Interesting, Twists
Charles Dickens (1839). “Oliver Twist; or, The parish boy's progress”, p.15

It was understood that nothing of a tender nature could possibly be confided to old Barley, by reason of his being totally unequal to the consideration of any subject more psychological than gout, rum, and purser's stores.

Charles Dickens
Character, Interesting, Gout
Charles Dickens (1873). “Tale of Two Cities”, p.449

But the words she spoke of Mrs Harris, lambs could not forgive ... nor worms forget.

Charles Dickens
Character, Interesting, Forgiving
'Martin Chuzzlewit' (1844) ch. 49 (Mrs Gamp)

"A child!" said Edith, looking at her. "When was I a child? What childhood did you ever leave to me? I was a woman - artful, designing, mercenary, laying snares for men - before I knew myself, or you, or even understood the base and wretched aim of every new display I learnt. You gave birth to a woman. Look upon her. She is in her pride tonight."

Charles Dickens
Children, Character, Pride
Charles Dickens (1867). “Charles Dickens's works. Charles Dickens ed. [18 vols. of a 21 vol. set. Wanting A child's history of England; Christmas stories; The mystery of Edwin Drood].”, p.245

The expression of a man's face is commonly a help to his thoughts, or glossary on his speech; but the countenance of Newman Noggs, in his ordinary moods, was a problem which no stretch of ingenuity could solve.

Charles Dickens
Character, Men, Expression
Charles Dickens (1870). “Novels”, p.12

He wore a sprinkling of powder upon his head, as if to make himself look benevolent; but if that were his purpose, he would perhaps have done better to powder his countenance also, for there was something in its very wrinkles, and in his cold restless eye, which seemed to tell of cunning that would announce itself in spite of him.

Charles Dickens
Character, Eye, Wrinkles
Charles Dickens (1854). “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby ... With a Frontispiece from a Painting by T. Webster”, p.5

"Ecod, you may say what you like of my father, then, and so I give you leave," said Jonas. "I think it's liquid aggravation that circulates through his veins, and not regular blood..."

Charles Dickens
Father, Character, Thinking
Charles Dickens (1844). “The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit”, p.131, Chapman and Hall

Newman cast a despairing glance at his small store of fuel, but, not having the courage to say no-a word which in all his life he never had said at the right time, either to himself or anyone else-gave way to the proposed arrangement.

Charles Dickens
Character, Interesting, Fuel
Charles Dickens (2016). “The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby”, p.165, Xist Publishing

The citizen ... preserved the resolute bearing of one who was not to be frowned down or daunted, and who cared very little for any nobility but that of worth and manhood.

Charles Dickens
Character, Interesting, Citizens
Charles Dickens (1871). “The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Other Pieces”, p.173

"I fear your kind and open communication, which has rendered me more painfully conscious of my own defects, has not improved me," sighed Kate.

Charles Dickens
Communication, Character, Interesting
Charles Dickens (2006). “Nicholas Nickleby: Easyread Comfort Edition”, p.88, ReadHowYouWant.com

You are always training yourself to be, mind and body, as clear as crystal, and you always are, and never change; whereas I am a muddy, solitary, moping weed.

Charles Dickens
Weed, Character, Interesting
Charles Dickens (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Charles Dickens (Illustrated)”, p.8363, Delphi Classics

A tender young cork, however, would have had no more chance against a pair of corkscrews, or a tender young tooth against a pair of dentists, or a little shuttlecock against two battledores, than I had against Uriah and Mrs. Heep. They did just what they liked with me; and wormed things out of me that I had no desire to tell, with a certainty I blush to think of.

Charles Dickens
Character, Thinking, Two
Charles Dickens (2012). “Four Novels: Great Expectations, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and Hard Times”, p.759, Graphic Arts Books

The more especially, as in my juvenile frankness, I took some credit to myself for being so confidential and felt that I was quite the patron of my two respectful entertainers.

Charles Dickens
Character, Two, Interesting
Charles Dickens (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Charles Dickens (Illustrated)”, p.4541, Delphi Classics

... Arthur Gride, whose bleared eyes gloated only over the outward beauties, and were blind to the spirit which reigned within, evinced - a fantastic kind of warmth certainly, but not exactly that kind of warmth of feeling which the contemplation of virtue usually inspires.

Charles Dickens
Character, Eye, Interesting
Charles Dickens (1854). “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby ... With a Frontispiece from a Painting by T. Webster”, p.374

It was the first time it had ever occurred to me, that this detestable cant of false humility might have originated out of the Heep family. I had seen the harvest, but had never thought of the seed.

Charles Dickens
Character, Humility, Interesting
Charles Dickens (1872). “The Works of Charles Dickens”, p.239

Mrs. Lammle's manner changed under the poor silly girl's embraces, and she turned extremely pale: directing one appealing look, first to Mrs. Boffin, and then to Mr. Boffin. Both understood her instantly, with a more delicate subtlety than much better educated people, whose perception came less directly from the heart, could have brought to bear upon the case.

Charles Dickens
Girl, Silly, Heart
Charles Dickens (2016). “Our Mutual Friend”, p.856, Charles Dickens

It was a dagger in the haughty father's heart, an arrow in his brain, to see how the flesh and blood he could not disown clung to this obscure stranger, and he sitting by. Not that he cared to whom his daughter turned, or from whom turned away. The swift sharp agony struck through him, as he thought of what his son might do.

Charles Dickens
Daughter, Father, Heart
Charles Dickens (1858). “Dombey and Son ... With frontispiece by H. K. Browne”, p.52

A brisk, bright, blue-eyed fellow, a very neat figure and rather under the middle size, never out of the way and never in it.

Charles Dickens
Character, Blue, Interesting
Charles Dickens (1868). “Christmas Stories from "Household Words" and "All the Year Round"”, p.120

Old Mr. Rarx was not a pleasant man to look at, nor yet to talk to, or to be with, for no one could help seeing that he was a sordid and selfish character, and that he had warped further and further out of the straight with time.

Charles Dickens
Selfish, Character, Men
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.568, e-artnow

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