Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

100 Memorable Quotes By Charles Dickens, The Author Of Oliver Twist

Famous As: The Greatest Novelist of the Victorian Era
Born On: February 7, 1812
Died On: June 9, 1870
Born In: Landport, Hampshire, England
Died At Age: 58

Charles Dickens was an English author, who lived in the 19th century and is regarded as one of the greatest novelists in the history of literature. Dickens belonged to the Victorian Era in England and is generally regarded as the greatest literary figure of his era. He became a hugely popular public figure during his life time and almost all of his books are still considered masterpieces by most people all across the world. Dickens grew up in abject poverty and was not formally educated, however that did not stop him from becoming a writer. He produced a staggering amount of work during his career, which included a total of 15 novels, plenty of short stories, articles and shorter novels. Dickens became an internationally renowned author after the publication of ‘The Pickwick Papers’ and went on tours in which he read his own novels on stage, to an audience. His other masterpieces include ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, ‘David Copperfield’, ‘Hard Times’, ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘Great Expectations’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’ among others. Many of his books became part of school and college curriculum worldwide and immortalised Dickens in the hearts and minds of people. Here are some of the most famous quotes from the man himself and his literary works.

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There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.

There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.

Charles Dickens
Never close your lips to those whom you have already opened your heart.

Never close your lips to those whom you have already opened your heart.

Charles Dickens
I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.

I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.

Charles Dickens
There are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts.

There are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts.

Charles Dickens
Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.

Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.

Charles Dickens
Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.

Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.

Charles Dickens
A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.

A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.

Charles Dickens
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.

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
And O there are days in this life, worth life and worth death.

And O there are days in this life, worth life and worth death.

Charles Dickens
No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.

Charles Dickens
We need never be ashamed of our tears.

We need never be ashamed of our tears.

Charles Dickens
What greater gift than the love of a cat.

What greater gift than the love of a cat.

Charles Dickens
It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.

It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.

Charles Dickens
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Charles Dickens
The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.

The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.

Charles Dickens
You have been the last dream of my soul.

You have been the last dream of my soul.

Charles Dickens
To conceal anything from those to whom I am attached, is not in my nature. I can never close my lips where I have opened my heart.

To conceal anything from those to whom I am attached, is not in my nature. I can never close my lips where I have opened my heart.

Charles Dickens
Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.

Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.

Charles Dickens
In a word, I was too cowardly to do what I knew to be right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong.

In a word, I was too cowardly to do what I knew to be right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong.

Charles Dickens
Reflect upon your present blessings -- of which every man has many -- not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

Reflect upon your present blessings -- of which every man has many -- not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

Charles Dickens
I hope that real love and truth are stronger in the end than any evil or misfortune in the world.

I hope that real love and truth are stronger in the end than any evil or misfortune in the world.

Charles Dickens
I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul.

I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul.

Charles Dickens
Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.

Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.

Charles Dickens
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

Charles Dickens
There was a long hard time when I kept far from me the remembrance of what I had thrown away when I was quite ignorant of its worth.

There was a long hard time when I kept far from me the remembrance of what I had thrown away when I was quite ignorant of its worth.

Charles Dickens
No one who can read, ever looks at a book, even unopened on a shelf, like one who cannot.

No one who can read, ever looks at a book, even unopened on a shelf, like one who cannot.

Charles Dickens
‎And yet I have had the weakness, and have still the weakness, to wish you to know with what a sudden mastery you kindled me, heap of ashes that I am, into fire.

‎And yet I have had the weakness, and have still the weakness, to wish you to know with what a sudden mastery you kindled me, heap of ashes that I am, into fire.

Charles Dickens
There is a wisdom of the head, and... there is a wisdom of the heart.

There is a wisdom of the head, and... there is a wisdom of the heart.

Charles Dickens
The broken heart. You think you will die, but you just keep living, day after day after terrible day.

The broken heart. You think you will die, but you just keep living, day after day after terrible day.

Charles Dickens
Ask no questions, and you'll be told no lies.

Ask no questions, and you'll be told no lies.

Charles Dickens
A loving heart is the truest wisdom.

A loving heart is the truest wisdom.

Charles Dickens
Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.

Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.

Charles Dickens
I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.

I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.

Charles Dickens
It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.

Charles Dickens
You are in every line I have ever read.

You are in every line I have ever read.

Charles Dickens
Spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade.

Spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade.

Charles Dickens
Family not only need to consist of merely those whom we share blood, but also for those whom we'd give blood.

Family not only need to consist of merely those whom we share blood, but also for those whom we'd give blood.

Charles Dickens
It is because I think so much of warm and sensitive hearts, that I would spare them from being wounded.

It is because I think so much of warm and sensitive hearts, that I would spare them from being wounded.

Charles Dickens
So, throughout life, our worst weaknesses and meannesses are usually committed for the sake of the people whom we most despise.

So, throughout life, our worst weaknesses and meannesses are usually committed for the sake of the people whom we most despise.

Charles Dickens
A day wasted on others is not wasted on one's self.

A day wasted on others is not wasted on one's self.

Charles Dickens
There is prodigious strength in sorrow and despair.

There is prodigious strength in sorrow and despair.

Charles Dickens
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.

Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.

Charles Dickens
Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule.

Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule.

Charles Dickens
Think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you.

Think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you.

Charles Dickens
I must be taken as I have been made. The success is not mine, the failure is not mine, but the two together make me.

I must be taken as I have been made. The success is not mine, the failure is not mine, but the two together make me.

Charles Dickens
I am what you designed me to be.I am your blade. You cannot now complain if you also feel the hurt

I am what you designed me to be.I am your blade. You cannot now complain if you also feel the hurt

Charles Dickens
My advice is, never do to-morrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him!

My advice is, never do to-morrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him!

Charles Dickens
The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists.

The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists.

Charles Dickens
A man is lucky if he is the first love of a woman. A woman is lucky if she is the last love of a man.

A man is lucky if he is the first love of a woman. A woman is lucky if she is the last love of a man.

Charles Dickens
For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.

For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.

Charles Dickens
Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes.

Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes.

Charles Dickens
No space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused

No space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused

Charles Dickens
I stole her heart away and put ice in its place.

I stole her heart away and put ice in its place.

Charles Dickens
Death may beget life, but oppression can beget nothing other than itself.

Death may beget life, but oppression can beget nothing other than itself.

Charles Dickens
A dream, all a dream, that ends in nothing, and leaves the sleeper where he lay down, but I wish you to know that you inspired it.

A dream, all a dream, that ends in nothing, and leaves the sleeper where he lay down, but I wish you to know that you inspired it.

Charles Dickens
It is a pleasant world we live in, sir, a very pleasant world. There are bad people in it, Mr. Richard, but if there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers.

It is a pleasant world we live in, sir, a very pleasant world. There are bad people in it, Mr. Richard, but if there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers.

Charles Dickens
A multitude of people and yet solitude.

A multitude of people and yet solitude.

Charles Dickens
I looked at the stars, and considered how awful it would be for a man to turn his face up to them as he froze to death, and see no help or pity in all the glittering multitude.

I looked at the stars, and considered how awful it would be for a man to turn his face up to them as he froze to death, and see no help or pity in all the glittering multitude.

Charles Dickens
You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!

You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!

Charles Dickens
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.

Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.

Charles Dickens
I love your daughter fondly, dearly, disninterestedly, devotedly. If ever there were love in the world, I love her.

I love your daughter fondly, dearly, disninterestedly, devotedly. If ever there were love in the world, I love her.

Charles Dickens
Moths, and all sorts of ugly creatures, hover about a lighted candle. Can the candle help it?

Moths, and all sorts of ugly creatures, hover about a lighted candle. Can the candle help it?

Charles Dickens
Not knowing how he lost himself, or how he recovered himself, he may never feel certain of not losing himself again.

Not knowing how he lost himself, or how he recovered himself, he may never feel certain of not losing himself again.

Charles Dickens
Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop,

Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop," returned madame; "but don't tell me.

Charles Dickens
We changed again, and yet again, and it was now too late and too far to go back, and I went on. And the mists had all solemnly risen now, and the world lay spread before me.

We changed again, and yet again, and it was now too late and too far to go back, and I went on. And the mists had all solemnly risen now, and the world lay spread before me.

Charles Dickens
And I am bored to death with it. Bored to death with this place, bored to death with my life, bored to death with myself.

And I am bored to death with it. Bored to death with this place, bored to death with my life, bored to death with myself.

Charles Dickens
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.

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
In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairy tales should be respected.

In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairy tales should be respected." (Frauds on the Fairies, 1853)

Charles Dickens
No varnish can hide the grain of the wood; and that the more varnish you put on, the more the grain will express itself.

No varnish can hide the grain of the wood; and that the more varnish you put on, the more the grain will express itself.

Charles Dickens
Give me a moment, because I like to cry for joy. It's so delicious, John dear, to cry for joy.

Give me a moment, because I like to cry for joy. It's so delicious, John dear, to cry for joy.

Charles Dickens
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery.

Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery.

Charles Dickens
Life is made of so many partings welded together

Life is made of so many partings welded together

Charles Dickens
Vengeance and retribution require a long time; it is the rule.

Vengeance and retribution require a long time; it is the rule.

Charles Dickens
There can be no disparity in marriage like unsuitability of mind and purpose.

There can be no disparity in marriage like unsuitability of mind and purpose.

Charles Dickens
There is a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you.

There is a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you.

Charles Dickens
Trifles make the sum of life.

Trifles make the sum of life.

Charles Dickens
[Credit is a system whereby] a person who can't pay, gets another person who can't pay, to guarantee that he can pay.

[Credit is a system whereby] a person who can't pay, gets another person who can't pay, to guarantee that he can pay.

Charles Dickens
Liberty, equality, fraternity, or death; - the last, much the easiest to bestow, O Guillotine!

Liberty, equality, fraternity, or death; - the last, much the easiest to bestow, O Guillotine!

Charles Dickens
I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one object at a time.

I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one object at a time.

Charles Dickens
Although a skillful flatterer is a most delightful companion if you have him all to yourself, his taste becomes very doubtful when he takes to complimenting other people.

Although a skillful flatterer is a most delightful companion if you have him all to yourself, his taste becomes very doubtful when he takes to complimenting other people.

Charles Dickens
And a beautiful world we live in, when it is possible, and when many other such things are possible, and not only possible, but done-- done, see you!-- under that sky there, every day.

And a beautiful world we live in, when it is possible, and when many other such things are possible, and not only possible, but done-- done, see you!-- under that sky there, every day.

Charles Dickens
I must do something or I shall wear my heart away...

I must do something or I shall wear my heart away...

Charles Dickens
Please, sir, I want some more.

Please, sir, I want some more.

Charles Dickens
Bah,

Bah," said Scrooge, "Humbug.

Charles Dickens
Never,

Never," said my aunt, "be mean in anything; never be false; never be cruel. Avoid those three vices, Trot, and I can always be hopeful of you.

Charles Dickens
I only ask to be free, the butterflies are free.

I only ask to be free, the butterflies are free.

Charles Dickens
We forge the chains we wear in life.

We forge the chains we wear in life.

Charles Dickens
I had considered how the things that never happen, are often as much realities to us, in their effects, as those that are accomplished.

I had considered how the things that never happen, are often as much realities to us, in their effects, as those that are accomplished.

Charles Dickens
It's in vain to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present.

It's in vain to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present.

Charles Dickens
I do not know the American gentleman, God forgive me for putting two such words together.

I do not know the American gentleman, God forgive me for putting two such words together.

Charles Dickens
The cloud of caring for nothing, which overshadowed him with such a fatal darkness, was very rarely pierced by the light within him.

The cloud of caring for nothing, which overshadowed him with such a fatal darkness, was very rarely pierced by the light within him.

Charles Dickens
Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.

Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.

Charles Dickens
Women can always put things in fewest words. Except when it's blowing up; and then they lengthens it out.

Women can always put things in fewest words. Except when it's blowing up; and then they lengthens it out.

Charles Dickens
Every idiot who goes about with a 'Merry Christmas' on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

Every idiot who goes about with a 'Merry Christmas' on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

Charles Dickens
I know enough of the world now to have almost lost the capacity of being much surprised by anything

I know enough of the world now to have almost lost the capacity of being much surprised by anything

Charles Dickens
Nothing that we do, is done in vain. I believe, with all my soul, that we shall see triumph.

Nothing that we do, is done in vain. I believe, with all my soul, that we shall see triumph.

Charles Dickens
Really, for a man who had been out of practice for so many years it was a splendid laugh!

Really, for a man who had been out of practice for so many years it was a splendid laugh!

Charles Dickens
Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always, that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.

Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always, that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.

Charles Dickens
Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers, and are famous preservers of good looks.

Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers, and are famous preservers of good looks.

Charles Dickens