Charles Dickens Quotes

Although a man may lose a sense of his own importance when he is a mere unit among a busy throng, all utterly regardless of him, it by no means follows that he can dispossess himself, with equal facility, of a very strong sense of the importance and magnitude of his cares. ~ Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens Quadruped lions are said to be savage, only when they are hungry; biped lions are rarely sulky longer than when their appetite for distinction remains unappeased. ~ Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens 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. ~ Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens Dreams are the bright creatures of poem and legend, who sport on earth in the night season, and melt away in the first beam of the sun, which lights grim care and stern reality on their daily pilgrimage through the world. ~ Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens For gold conjures up a mist about a man, more destructive of all his old senses and lulling to his feelings than the fumes of charcoal. ~ Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens 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. ~ Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens 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. ~ Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens "The sun does not shine upon this fair earth to meet frowning eyes, depend upon it." ~ Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens Heaven above was blue, and earth beneath was green; the river glistened like a path of diamonds in the sun; the birds poured forth their songs from the shady trees; the lark soared high above the waving corn; and the deep buzz of insects filled the air. ~ Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens "I have made up my mind that I must have money, Pa. I feel that I can't beg it, borrow it, or steal it; and so I have resolved that I must marry it." ~ Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens