Charles Dickens, one of the greatest novelists of the 19th century, gifted the world with unforgettable characters and powerful social commentary. Beyond his storytelling, his words remain full of wisdom, wit, and humanity. From A Christmas Carol to Great Expectations, Dickens’s quotes continue to inspire readers, reminding us about kindness, perseverance, and the complexities of life.
- “Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.”
- “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else.”
- “A loving heart is the truest wisdom.”
- “We need never be ashamed of our tears.” – Great Expectations
- “The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.” – Nicholas Nickleby
- “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” – A Christmas Carol
- “There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.”
- “Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”
- “I hope that real love and truth are stronger in the end than any evil or misfortune in the world.”
- “Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door.”
- “The broken heart. You think you will die, but you just keep living, day after day after terrible day.”
- “Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be.” – Great Expectations
- “There are strings in the human heart that had better not be vibrated.” – Barnaby Rudge
- “A day wasted on others is not wasted on one’s self.”
- “We forge the chains we wear in life.” – A Christmas Carol
- “This is a world of action, and not for moping and droning in.” – Oliver Twist
- “The sun himself is weak when he first rises, and gathers strength and courage as the day gets on.” – The Old Curiosity Shop
- “The civility which money will purchase is rarely extended to those who have none.” – Sketches by Boz
- “The most important thing in life is to stop saying ‘I wish’ and start saying ‘I will.’”
- “A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.” – A Tale of Two Cities
- “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.” – A Tale of Two Cities
- “There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart.” – Hard Times
- “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” – A Tale of Two Cities
- “The men who learn endurance, are they who call the whole world, brother.” – Barnaby Rudge
- “A very little key will open a very heavy door.”
- “We only ask to be reassured about the noises in the cellar and the window that should not be open.” – The Pickwick Papers
- “It is a melancholy truth that even great men have their poor relations.” – Bleak House
- “There is a wisdom in hope, and a strength in faith.”
- “In the little world in which children have their existence… there is nothing so finely perceived and so finely felt, as injustice.” – Great Expectations
- “Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” – David Copperfield
- “My advice is, never do to-morrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.” – David Copperfield
- “Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.”
- “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” – A Tale of Two Cities
- “There are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts.” – Oliver Twist
- “The first rule of business is: Do other men for they would do you.” – Martin Chuzzlewit
- “No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused.” – A Christmas Carol
- “It is because I think so much of warm and sensitive hearts, that I would spare them from being wounded.”
- “Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.” – A Christmas Carol
- “Fan the sinking flame of hilarity with the wing of friendship; and pass the rosy wine.” – The Old Curiosity Shop
- “Change begets change. Nothing propagates so fast.” – A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens’s words are wisdom, touching on love, poverty, justice, and the resilience of the human spirit. Dickens’s voice still rings true today.
