7 famous lines from Charles Dickens, word for word from the original text
Charles Dickens's 1861 novel follows the orphan Pip from the marshes of Kent to London as he learns what really makes a gentleman. Its lines on guilt, love and growing up are quiet but unforgettable.
“In a word, I was too cowardly to do what I knew to be right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong.”
— Great Expectations, Chapter VI · about 8% into the book
“Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears”
— Great Expectations, Chapter XIX · about 33% into the book
“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching”
— Great Expectations, Chapter LIX · about 100% into the book
“Ask no questions, and you’ll be told no lies.”
— Great Expectations, Chapter II · about 2% into the book
“I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.”
— Great Expectations, Chapter XXIX · about 48% into the book
“You are part of my existence, part of myself.”
— Great Expectations, Chapter XLIV · about 75% into the book
“That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me.”
— Great Expectations, Chapter IX · about 15% into the book
Chapters follow the Project Gutenberg edition. Page numbers differ between printed editions — that's why Eqtepas records the page of your copy when you save a quote.
One of the best-known lines from Great Expectations is: “In a word, I was too cowardly to do what I knew to be right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong.” (Chapter VI).
Yes. Every quote on this page is copied word for word from the public-domain text of Great Expectations on Project Gutenberg, with the chapter it appears in — so you can find it in your own copy.
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