. . . skewered through and through with office-pens, and bound hand and foot with red tape.Charles Dickens: David Copperfield
Business
Here's the rule for bargains—“Do other men, for they would do you.” That's the true business precept.Charles Dickens: Martin Chuzzlewit
Children and Childhood
In the little world in which children have their existence, whosoever brings them up, there is nothing so finely perceived and so finely felt as injustice.Charles Dickens: Great Expectations
Clothing
Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he's well dressed. There ain't much credit in that.Charles Dickens: Martin Chuzzlewit
Clothing
Probably every new and eagerly expected garment ever put on since clothes came in fell a trifle short of the wearer's expectation.Charles Dickens: Great Expectations
Crisis and Upheaval
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.Charles Dickens: A Tale of Two Cities
Crowds
“It's always best on these occasions to do what the mob do.” “But supppose there are two mobs?” suggested Mr. Snodgrass. “Shout with the largest,” replied Mr. Pickwick. Charles Dickens: Pickwick Papers
Facts
Now, what I want is, Facts . . . Facts alone are wanted in life.Charles Dickens: Hard Times
Family
It is a melancholy truth that even great men have their poor relations.Charles Dickens: Bleak House
Family
Accidents will occur in the best-regulated families.Charles Dickens: David Copperfield
Freedom and Liberty
I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free.Charles Dickens: Bleak House
Humans and Human Nature
A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.Charles Dickens: A Tale of Two Cities
Humility
“I am well aware that I am the umblest person going,” said Uriah Heep, modestly; “let the other be where he may. My mother is likewise a very umble person. We live in a numble abode, Master Copperfield, but have much to be thankful for.”Charles Dickens: David Copperfield
Law and Lawyers
If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers.Charles Dickens: The Old Curiosity Shop
Law and Lawyers
“If the law supposes that,” said Mr. Bumble, . . . “the law is a ass—a idiot. If that's the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is, that his eye may be opened by experience—by experience.”Charles Dickens: Oliver Twist
Money
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.Charles Dickens: David Copperfield
Poetry and Poets
Poetry's unnat'ral; no man ever talked poetry 'cept a beadle on boxin' day.Charles Dickens: Pickwick Papers
Resignation
It's over, and can't be helped, and that's one consolation, as they always says in Turkey, ven they cuts the wrong man's head off.Charles Dickens: Pickwick Papers
Self-Sacrifice
It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.Charles Dickens: A Tale of Two Cities