1,913 Quotes by Charles Dickens

Mr. Pickwick took a seat and the paper, but instead of reading the latter, peeped over the top of it, and took a survey of the man of business, who was an elderly, pimply-faced, vegetable-diet sort of man, in a black coat, dark mixture trousers, and small black gaiters; a kind of being who seemed to be an essential part of the desk at which he was writing, and to have as much thought or sentiment.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

There are many things which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited.

In the majority of cases, conscience is an elastic and very flexible article.