Oliver Twist Quotes
"I saw no reason, why the dregs of life should not serve the purpose of a moral, as well as its froth and cream."
"It appeared to me that to draw a knot of such associates in crime as really did exist; to paint them in all their deformity, in all their wretchedness, in all the squalid misery of their lives."
"What manner of life is that which is described in these pages, as the everyday existence of a Thief? What charms has it for the young and ill-disposed?"
"The cold wet shelterless midnight streets of London; the foul and frowsy dens, where vice is closely packed and lacks the room to turn; the haunts of hunger and disease."
"It is wonderful how Virtue turns from dirty stockings; and how Vice, married to ribbons and a little gay attire, changes her name, as wedded ladies do, and becomes Romance."
"It is emphatically God’s truth, for it is the truth He leaves in such depraved and miserable breasts; the hope yet lingering there."
"Oliver was so like the rats he had seen outside, so like the rats, who would have eaten him if he were dead."
"For a long time after it was ushered into this world of sorrow and trouble, it remained a matter of considerable doubt whether the child would survive to bear any name at all."
"There being nothing eatable within his reach, Oliver replied in the affirmative."
"The old gentleman, who was reading the newspaper, raised his head for a moment, and pulled the other old gentleman by the sleeve."
"I think I know what it must be to die of that!"
"Not you," replied Oliver, hastily brushing the tear away. "Don't think it."
"No, not you," replied Oliver, sharply. "There; that's enough. Don't say anything more to me about her; you'd better not!"
"Oh no, no," returned Oliver quickly; "but the eyes look so sorrowful; and where I sit, they seem fixed upon me."
"It makes my heart beat," added Oliver in a low voice, "as if it was alive, and wanted to speak to me, but couldn't."
"I suppose it was," replied Oliver, "because heaven is a long way off; and they are too happy there, to come down to the bedside of a poor boy."
"She can't know anything about me though," added Oliver after a moment's silence. "If she had seen me hurt, it would have made her sorrowful; and her face has always looked sweet and happy, when I have dreamed of her."
"I hope not, sir," said Mrs. Bedwin. "Everything you have had, has been well aired, sir."
"I never told him so, sir," returned Oliver in amazement.
"It wasn't me indeed, sir. Indeed, indeed, it was two other boys," said Oliver, clasping his hands passionately, and looking round.
"Stuff and nonsense!" said Mr. Fang: "don't try to make a fool of me."
"I am a porochial beadle, gentlemen," rejoined Mr. Bumble proudly.
"This hasn't got anything to do with young Green here."
"You're a nice one," added Sikes, "to take up the humane and gen-teel side!"
"God Almighty help me, I am!" cried the girl passionately.
"He's a rum dog. Don't he look fierce at any strange cove that laughs or sings when he's in company!" pursued the Dodger.
"What a pity it is he isn't a prig!" said the Dodger mournfully.
"It's very much blotted, sir," said the farmer of infants; "but it's formal enough, I dare say."
"You may keep the books, if you're fond of reading. If you ain't, sell 'em."
"She's all right now," said Sikes, laying her down in a corner.
"It all lies in a nutshell, my dear; in a nutshell, take the Dodger's word for it."
"The old crone tottered along the passages, muttering indistinct answers to the chidings of her companion."
"They're so happy, so frolicsome, and so cheerful, that they are quite companions for me."
"The great principle of out-of-door relief is, to give the paupers exactly what they don't want."
"I've seen a many people die; little babes and great strong men."
"She wasn’t cold, I tell you she wasn’t cold, when I stole it!"
"I can't talk about business till I've eat and drank; so produce the sustenance, and let's have a quiet fill-out for the first time these three days!"
"He can't live a week, the doctor says. He is the master of this establishment; his death will cause a vacancy; that vacancy must be filled up."
"Crime, like death, is not confined to the old and withered alone. The youngest and fairest are too often its chosen victims."
"I know his whole history, but we can talk about that presently."
"I only hope, for the sake of the rising male sex generally, that you may be found in as vulnerable and soft-hearted a mood by the first eligible young fellow who appeals to your compassion."
"The very intelligence that shone in her deep blue eye, and was stamped upon her noble head, seemed scarcely of her age, or of the world."
"I am afraid you have got yourself into a scrape there, Mr. Giles."
"It's natural and proper to be afraid, under such circumstances. I am."
"Vice takes up her abode in many temples; and who can say that a fair outside shall not enshrine her?"
"The prospect before you is a brilliant one. All the honours to which great talents and powerful connections can help men in public life, are in store for you."
"I should like to know how - how my mother and Miss Maylie are," said the young man; "and you can fill up a sheet by telling me what walks you take, and what you talk about, and whether she - they, I mean - seem happy and quite well. You understand me?"
"I know that she deserves the best and purest love the heart of man can offer," said Mrs. Maylie; "I know that the devotion and affection of her nature require no ordinary return, but one that shall be deep and lasting."
"It is that I may endeavour to deserve you; it is, dear Rose?"
"There is no pursuit more worthy of me: more worthy of the highest nature that exists: than the struggle to win such a heart as yours," said the young man, taking her hand.
"We don’t want any of your interference. You’re a great deal too fond of poking your nose into things that don’t concern you."
"What could Mr. Bumble do? He looked dejectedly round, and slunk away."
"I was not only my own master, but everybody else’s, so far as the porochial workhouse was concerned, and now!"
"He walked up one street, and down another, until exercise had abated the first passion of his grief."
"Mr. Bumble had quite dignity enough for two; so he drank his gin-and-water in silence."
"I have seen you before, I think. You were differently dressed at that time, and I only passed you in the street, but I should know you again."
"I suppose, a married man, is not more averse to turning an honest penny when he can, than a single one."
"It’s a long time, said Mr. Bumble. Very good. I’ve done it."
"The man who was seated there, was tall and dark, and wore a large cloak."
"You understand what that means, landlord!" said the stranger, drily.
"Damn that 'ere bag, it warn't ready night afore last; this won't do, you know!"
"Corn's up a little. I heerd talk of a murder, too, down Spitalfields way, but I don't reckon much upon it."
"Oh, that's quite true," said a gentleman inside, who was looking out of the window. "And a dreadful murder it was."
"Every object before him, substance or shadow, still or moving, took the semblance of some fearful thing."
"Let no man talk of murderers escaping justice, and hint that Providence must sleep."
"There were twenty score of violent deaths in one long minute of that agony of fear."
"The body was in its place, and its eyes were as he saw them when he stole away."
"The houses have no owners; they are broken open, and entered upon by those who have the courage."
"The child was taken by some wretched cottagers, who reared it as their own."
"I began well; and, but for babbling drabs, I would have finished as I began!"
"He had seen some of them die, and had joked too, because they died with prayers upon their lips."
"The only friend I ever had," cried Rose, clinging to her. "The kindest, best of friends."
"A father, sister, and mother, were gained, and lost, in that one moment."
"Fagin, still bearing that assumed name, retired with his portion to a distant part of the New World."