Quotes from Charles Lamb

Lawyers, I suppose, were children once.

Not childhood alone, but the young man till thirty, never feels practically that he is mortal.

How sickness enlarges the dimensions of a man's self to himself! Supreme selfishness is inculcated upon him as his only duty.

Trample not on the ruins of a man.

A man may do very well with a very little knowledge, and scarce be found out in mixed company; everybody is so much more ready to produce his own, than to call for a display of your acquisitions.

Man, while he loves, is never quite depraved.

The drinking man is never less himself than during his sober intervals.

The English writer, Charles Lamb, said one day: "I hate that man." "But you don't know him." "Of course, I don't," said Lamb. "Do you think I could possibly hate a man I know?"

Science has succeeded to poetry, no less in the little walks of children than with men. Is there no possibility of averting this sore evil?

There was a little man, and he had a little soul; And he said, Little Soul, let us try, try, try!

It is well if the good man himself does not feel his devotions a little clouded, those foggy sensuous steams mingling with and polluting the pure altar surface.

I can scarce bring myself to believe, that I am admitted to a familiar correspondence, and all the license of friendship, with a man who writes blank verse like Milton.

Mother's love grows by giving.

Those evening bells! those evening bells! How many a tale their music tells Of youth and home, and that sweet time When last I heard their soothing chime!

Milton almost requires a solemn service of music to be played before you enter upon him. But he brings his music, to which who listen had need bring docile thoughts and purged ears.

I even think that, sentimentally, I am disposed to harmony. But organically I am incapable of a tune.

A poor relation—is the most irrelevant thing in nature.

A sweet child is the sweetest thing in nature.

I allow no hot-beds in the gardens of Parnassus.

Dr Parr...asked him, how he had acquired his power of smoking at such a rate? Lamb replied, 'I toiled after it, sir, as some men toil after virtue.'

Merit, God knows, is very little rewarded.

New Year's Day is every man's birthday.

Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever.

Not if I know myself at all.