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Charles Lamb

Charles Lamb Quotes

Writer

Charles Lamb (February 10, 1775 - December 27, 1834) was an English writer known for his essays and literary criticism. Lamb is celebrated for his unique sense of humor and profound insights into everyday life. His most famous works include 'Elias Ward' and 'The Tales of a Grandfather'.

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Famous Charles Lamb Quotes

“Wert thou all that I wish thee, great, glorious, and free, First flower of the earth and first gem of the sea.”

Firsts Earth Wish Sea Flower Thee Glorious Gems

Author:Charles Lamb

“Were I Diogenes, I would not move out of a kilderkin into a hogshead, though the first had had nothing but small beer in it, and the second reeked claret.”

Firsts Home Moving Beer Claret

Book:The Works of Charles Lamb

Source: The Works of Charles Lamb

“No one ever regarded the First of January with indifference. It is that from which all date their time, and count upon what is left. It is the nativity of our common Adam.”

Source: The Essays of Elia

“Who first invented work, and bound the free And holiday-rejoicing spirit down . . . . To that dry drudgery at the desk's dead wood? . . . . Sabbathless Satan!”

Firsts Spirit Work Bounds Woods Satan Dry Holiday Rejoice Desks Drudgery

Book:The Works of Charles Lamb ...

Source: The Works of Charles Lamb ...

“Thus, when the lamp that lighted The traveller at first goes out, He feels awhile benighted, And looks around in fear and doubt. But soon, the prospect clearing, By cloudless starlight on he treads, And thinks no lamp so cheering As that light which Heaven sheds.”

Thinking Feels Firsts Looks Light Heaven Fear Doubt Cheer Shed Lamps Traveller Clearing Starlight

Author:Charles Lamb

“Ay, down to the dust with them, slaves as they are! From this hour let the blood in their dastardly veins, That shrunk at the first touch of Liberty's war, Be wasted for tyrants, or stagnate in chains.”

Firsts War Hours Liberty Blood Slave Dust Chains Tyrants Veins

Author:Charles Lamb

“Oh, ever thus, from childhood's hour, I 've seen my fondest hopes decay; I never loved a tree or flower But 't was the first to fade away. I never nurs'd a dear gazelle, To glad me with its soft black eye, But when it came to know me well And love me, it was sure to die.”

Knows Love Firsts Wells Eye Dies Hope Black Hours Tree Childhood Flower And Love Dear Glad Fades Decay Know Me Fade Away Black Eyes Gazelles

Author:Charles Lamb

“If thou would'st have me sing and play As once I play'd and sung, First take this time-worn lute away, And bring one freshly strung.”

Ifs Firsts Play Time Worn

Author:Charles Lamb

“What a place to be in is an old library! It seems as though all the souls of all the writers that have bequeathed their labours to these Bodleians were reposing here as in some dormitory, or middle state. I do not want to handle, to profane the leaves, their winding-sheets. I could as soon dislodge a shade. I seem to inhale learning, walking amid their foliage; and the odor of their old moth-scented coverings is fragrant as the first bloom of the sciential apples which grew amid the happy orchard.”

Source: Works: Including His Most Intesesting Letters

“No one ever regarded the first of January with indifference.”

Source: The Essays of Elia