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Charles Lamb Quotes

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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

“I conceive disgust at those impertinent and misbecoming familiarities, inscribed upon your ordinary tombstones. Every dead man must take upon himself to be lecturing me with his odious truism, that "such as he now is, I must shortly be." Not so shortly, friend, perhaps, as thou imaginest. In the meantime I am alive. I move about. I am worth twenty of thee. Know thy betters!”

Knows Men Moving Alive Ordinary Twenties Thee Disgusting Familiarity Dead Man Tombstone Truism I Am Alive Lecturing

Book:Delphi Complete Works of Charles and Mary Lamb (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Works of Charles and Mary Lamb (Illustrated)

“Shut not thy purse-strings always against painted distress. Act a charity sometimes. When a poor creature (outwardly and visibly such) comes before thee, do not stay to inquire whether the "seven small children," in whose name he implores thy assistance, have a veritable existence. Rake not into the bowels of unwelcome truth, to save a halfpenny. It is good to believe him.”

Believe Children Sometimes Names Poor Existence Creatures Charity Seven Thee Strings Distress Assistance Purses Small Child Unwelcome Bowels Rakes

Book:The Essays of Elia

Source: The Essays of Elia

“O money, money, how blindly thou hast been worshipped, and how stupidly abused! Thou are health and liberty and strength, and he that has thee may rattle his pockets at the foul fiend!”

May Money Liberty Thee Pockets Foul

Book:Final Memorials of Charles Lamb; consisting chiefly of his Letters not before published, with sketches of some of his companions. By T. N. Talfourd

Source: Final Memorials of Charles Lamb; consisting chiefly of his Letters not before published, with sketches of some of his companions. By T. N. Talfourd

“I counsel thee, shut not thy heart, nor thy library.”

Heart Library Thee

Book:The Works of Charles Lamb

Source: The Works of Charles Lamb

“As down in the sunless retreats of the ocean Sweet flowers are springing no mortal can see, So deep in my soul the still prayer of devotion, Unheard by the world, rises silent to Thee. As still to the star of its worship, though clouded, The needle points faithfully o'er the dim sea, So dark when I roam in this wintry world shrouded, The hope of my spirit turns trembling to Thee.”