25 Quotes By Writer Charles Dickens Reminding You To Enjoy Every Second Of Your Life
What’s really important in life?
Charles Dickens is one of those classic writers that you probably read when you were in school (think A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist, or Great Expectations...) and then didn’t think too much of it after that. But you may be surprised to realize how many of his famous quotes and sayings made their way on to your computer screens, your Pinterest inspo boards and into your daily motivational routines.
You probably already know that he was also the author of A Christmas Carol. The best version of this book, of course, is The Muppets Christmas Carol movie (don’t fight me on this, I’m right).
My point is that Charles Dickens is one of those authors that you always forget has written so many notable books that ended up into movies, plays, and adapted for television in a million different ways during the holiday season.
So, by all accounts, Charles Dickens was a pretty successful guy. But more than that, his words were very insightful – still applicable today, even. During a time when there is so much stress and problems, it’s hard to find time to get back to the basics and really enjoy life.
But after a few minutes of reading Charles Dickens quotes you might just start feeling a little better. His quotes tend to remind you of what’s really important: love, laughter, and a good humor about life.
And what’s life if you can’t be a little silly or drink a little too much on the weekends or nearly hurt yourself from laughing so hard with your best friend? What I like most about Charles Dickens’ writing and words is how simply he says to let go and enjoy what you have in life.
You don’t have to go out of your way to make someone smile or find enjoyment; what matters is how you make the most out of every day.
He writes about making sure you always have a full heart and to never be afraid to open up to others; there’s no shame in being vulnerable and honest.
As long as you always let yourself feel and enjoy, you’ll have a good life. So keep reading for some of Charles Dickens’ best quotes about life, love, and everything in between.
1. Let yourself laugh.
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” — Charles Dickens
2. Always be there for the people you love.
“Never close your lips to those whom you have already opened your heart.” — Charles Dickens
3. The bad moments in life are able to make you just as strong as the good moments.
“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.” — Charles Dickens
4. Have a soft heart and a soft touch.
“Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.”- Charles Dickens
5. Never be ashamed to be gentle and feeling.
“Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.” — Charles Dickens
6. Be thankful for what you have in the present, not what you didn’t have in the past.
“Reflect upon your present blessings -- of which every man has many -- not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” — Charles Dickens
7. Love and truth conquer all.
“I hope that real love and truth are stronger in the end than any evil or misfortune in the world.” — Charles Dickens
8. Devote yourself completely to life.
“My meaning simply is, that whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; that whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely; that in great aims and in small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest.” — Charles Dickens
9. Be wise in love and life.
“There is a wisdom of the head, and there is a wisdom of the heart.” — Charles Dickens
10. Always open your heart to love.
“A loving heart is the truest wisdom.” — Charles Dickens
11. Protect those in your life with big, loving hearts.
“It is because I think so much of warm and sensitive hearts, that I would spare them from being wounded.” — Charles Dickens
12. Your family is those you would do anything for.
“Family not only need to consist of merely those whom we share blood, but also for those whom we'd give blood.” — Charles Dickens
13. You are made up of all parts, good and bad.
“I must be taken as I have been made. The success is not mine, the failure is not mine, but the two together make me.” — Charles Dickens
14. Let yourself be happy always.
“Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes.” — Charles Dickens
15. Be free; never keep yourself caged up.
“I only ask to be free, the butterflies are free.” — Charles Dickens
16. Happiness is what makes you most beautiful.
“Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers, and are famous preservers of good looks.” — Charles Dickens
17. Create beautiful poetry with your life.
“Poetry makes life what lights and music do the stage.” — Charles Dickens
18. Be constant in everything you do in life.
“Constancy in love is a good thing; but it means nothing, and is nothing, without constancy in every kind of effort.” — Charles Dickens
19. Always be thoughtful in your kindness and wisdom.
“Do the wise thing and the kind thing too, and make the best of us and not the worst.” — Charles Dickens
20. Let suffering make you stronger.
“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be.” — Charles Dickens
21. Love may be blind, but never take advantage of it.
“Love, though said to be afflicted with blindness, is a vigilant watchman.” — Charles Dickens
22. Never underestimate how it feels to reconnect with old friends.
"The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again." — Charles Dickens
23. Love makes the world go ‘round.
"O 'tis love, 'tis love, 'tis love that makes the world go round!" — Charles Dickens
24. Do good for others and you’ll be doing good for yourself.
"A day wasted on others is not wasted on one's self." — Charles Dickens
25. Never dwell on grief and sorrow.
"Grief never mended no broken bones." — Charles Dickens
Emily Ratay is a full-time writer living in Pittsburgh. She's passionate about the environment and feminism, and knows that anything is possible in the right pair of shoes. She plans on writing a non-fiction book in the future.
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