The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

‘It is,’ says Chadband, ‘the ray of rays, the sun of suns, the moon of moons, the star of stars. It
is the light of Terewth.’
‘Bleak House’ (1853) ch. 25
Lo, the city is barren, I have seen but an eel.
‘Bleak House’ (1853) ch. 25 (Mr Chadband)
It’s my old girl that advises. She has the head. But I never own to it before her. Discipline must
be maintained.
‘Bleak House’ (1853) ch. 27 (Mr Bagnet)
The one great principle of the English law is, to make business for itself.
‘Bleak House’ (1853) ch. 39
Dead, your Majesty, Dead, my lords and gentlemen. Dead, Right Reverends and Wrong
Reverends of every Order. Dead, men and women, born with heavenly compassion in your
hearts. And dying thus around us, every day.
‘Bleak House’ (1853) ch. 47 (on the death of Jo)
I call them the Wards in Jarndyce. They are caged up with all the others. With Hope, Joy,
Youth, Peace, Rest, Life, Dust, Ashes, Waste, Want, Ruin, Despair, Madness, Death, Cunning,
Folly, Words, Wigs, Rags, Sheepskin, Plunder, Precedent, Jargon, Gammon, and Spinach!
‘Bleak House’ (1853) ch. 60 (Miss Flite’s birds)
4.52.3 The Chimes
O let us love our occupations,
Bless the squire and his relations,
Live upon our daily rations,
And always know our proper stations.
‘The Chimes’ (1844) ‘The Second Quarter’
4.52.4 A Christmas Carol
‘God bless us every one!’ said Tiny Tim, the last of all.
‘A Christmas Carol’ (1843) stave 3
It was a turkey! He could never have stood upon his legs, that bird. He would have snapped
’em off short in a minute, like sticks of sealing-wax.
‘A Christmas Carol’ (1843) stave 5
4.52.5 David Copperfield
I am a lone lorn creetur...and everythink goes contrairy with me.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 3 (Mrs Gummidge)
I’d better go into the house, and die and be a riddance!
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 3 (Mrs Gummidge)
She’s been thinking of the old ’un!
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 3 (Mr Peggotty of Mrs Gummidge)