“But I am thinking like a lover, or like an ass: which I suppose is pretty nearly the same.” ~ Nicholas Nickleby
Persuading himself that he was
Persuading himself that he was a most conscientious and glorious martyr, nobly resolved to do what, if he had examined his own heart a little more carefully, he would have found he could not resist. Such is the sleight of hand by which we juggle with ourselves, and change our very weaknesses into stanch and most magnanimous virtues! ~ Nicholas Nickleby
Sir Matthew Pupker went on
Sir Matthew Pupker went on to say what must be his feelings on that great occasion, and what must be that occasion in the eyes of the world, and what must be the intelligence of his fellow-countrymen before him, and what must be the wealth and respectability of his honourable friends behind him, and lastly, what must be the importance to the wealth, the happiness, the comfort, the liberty, the very existence of a free and great people, of such an Institution as the United Metropolitan Improved Hot Muffin and Crumpet Baking and Punctual Delivery Company! ~ Nicholas Nickleby
Such is hope, Heaven’s own
Such is hope, Heaven’s own gift to struggling mortals; pervading, like some subtle essence from the skies, all things, both good and bad; as universal as death, and more infectious than disease! ~ Nicholas Nickleby
Two people who cannot afford
Two people who cannot afford to play cards for money, sometimes sit down to a quiet game for love. ~ Nicholas Nickleby
“What do you mean, Phib?”
“What do you mean, Phib?” asked Miss Squeers, looking in her own little glass, where, like most of us, she saw—not herself, but the reflection of some pleasant image in her own brain. ~ Nicholas Nickleby
When men are about to
When men are about to commit, or to sanction the commission of some injustice, it is not uncommon for them to express pity for the object either of that or some parallel proceeding, and to feel themselves, at the time, quite virtuous and moral, and immensely superior to those who express no pity at all. This is a kind of upholding of faith above works, and is very comfortable. ~ Nicholas Nickleby
“Bring in the bottled lightning,
“Bring in the bottled lightning, a clean tumbler, and a corkscrew.” ~ Nicholas Nickleby
There are many pleasant fictions
There are many pleasant fictions of the law in constant operation, but there is not one so pleasant or practically humorous as that which supposes every man to be of equal value in its impartial eye, and the benefits of all laws to be equally attainable by all men, without the smallest reference to the furniture of their pockets. ~ Nicholas Nickleby
Young men not being as
Young men not being as a class remarkable for modesty or self-denial, especially when there is a lady in the case, when, if they colour at all, it is rather their practice to colour the story, and not themselves. ~ Nicholas Nickleby
