I could settle down into a state of equable low spirits, and resign myself to coffee.

The aphorism "Whatever is, is right," would be as final as it is lazy, did it not include the troublesome consequence that nothing that ever was, was wrong.

what I want you to be - I don't mean physically but morally: you are very well physically - is a firm fellow, a fine firm fellow, with a will of your own, with resolution. with determination. with strength of character that is not to be influenced except on good reason by anybody, or by anything. That's what I want you to be. That's what your father, & your mother might both have been

I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.

Mrs. Boffin and me, ma'am, are plain people, and we don't want to pretend to anything, nor yet to go round and round at anything because there's always a straight way to everything.

Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers, and are famous preservers of good looks.

... The sun does not shine upon this fair earth to meet frowning eyes, depend upon it.