The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

4.52.10 Little Dorrit
Whatever was required to be done, the Circumlocution Office was beforehand with all the
public departments in the art of perceiving—HOW NOT TO DO IT.
‘Little Dorrit’ (1857) bk. 1, ch. 10
Look here. Upon my soul you mustn’t come into the place saying you want to know, you know.
‘Little Dorrit’ (1857) bk. 1, ch. 10 (Barnacle Junior)
There’s milestones on the Dover Road!
‘Little Dorrit’ (1857) bk. 1, ch. 23 (Mr F.’s Aunt)
I revere the memory of Mr F. as an estimable man and most indulgent husband, only necessary
to mention Asparagus and it appeared or to hint at any little delicate thing to drink and it came
like magic in a pint bottle it was not ecstasy but it was comfort.
‘Little Dorrit’ (1857) bk. 1, ch. 24 (Flora Finching)
As to marriage on the part of a man, my dear, Society requires that he should retrieve his
fortunes by marriage. Society requires that he should gain by marriage. Society requires that he
should found a handsome establishment by marriage. Society does not see, otherwise, what he
has to do with marriage.
‘Little Dorrit’ (1857) bk. 1, ch. 33 (Mrs Merdle)
Father is rather vulgar, my dear. The word Papa, besides, gives a pretty form to the lips. Papa,
potatoes, poultry, prunes, and prism, are all very good words for the lips: especially prunes and
prism.
‘Little Dorrit’ (1857) bk. 2, ch. 5 (Mrs General)
Once a gentleman, and always a gentleman.
‘Little Dorrit’ (1857) bk. 2, ch. 28 (Rigaud)
4.52.11 Martin Chuzzlewit
Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he’s well dressed. There an’t much
credit in that.
‘Martin Chuzzlewit’ (1844) ch. 5 (Mark Tapley)
Affection beaming in one eye, and calculation shining out of the other.
‘Martin Chuzzlewit’ (1844) ch. 8 (Mrs Todgers)
Charity and Mercy. Not unholy names, I hope?
‘Martin Chuzzlewit’ (1844) ch. 9 (Mr Pecksniff)
Let us be moral. Let us contemplate existence.
‘Martin Chuzzlewit’ (1844) ch. 9 (Mr Pecksniff)
Here’s the rule for bargains: ‘Do other men, for they would do you.’ That’s the true business
precept.
‘Martin Chuzzlewit’ (1844) ch. 11 (Jonas Chuzzlewit)
‘Mrs Harris,’ I says, ‘leave the bottle on the chimley-piece, and don’t ask me to take none, but
let me put my lips to it when I am so dispoged.’
‘Martin Chuzzlewit’ (1844) ch. 19 (Mrs Gamp)