Charles Lamb (1775–1834): British essayist, poet, antiquarian. The library holds 44 quotes by Charles Lamb, drawn from Oxford in the Vacation, A, Lamb’s Suppers and other works. The 44 below are the most quoted; search the library in the maker for the rest.
I am constitutionally susceptible of noises. A carpenter’s hammer, in a warm summer’s noon, will fret me into more than midsummer madness. But those unconnected, unset sounds are nothing to the measured malice of music.
We gain nothing by being with such as ourselves. We encourage one another in mediocrity. I am always longing to be with men more excellent than myself.
Rags, which are the reproach of poverty, are the beggar’s robes and graceful insignia of his profession, his tenure, his full dress, the suit in which he is expected to show himself in public.
Be not frightened at the hard words “imposition,” “imposture;” give and ask no questions. “Cast thy bread upon the waters.” Some have, unawares, entertained angels.
The cheerful Sabbath bells, wherever heard,
Strike pleasant on the sense, most like the voice
Of one who from the far-off hills proclaims
Tidings of good to Zion.
I like you and your book, ingenious Hone!
In whose capacious all-embracing leaves
The very marrow of tradition’s shown;
And all that history, much that fiction weaves.
The pilasters reaching down were adorned with a glistering substance (I know not what) under glass (as it seemed), resembling—a homely fancy, but I judged it to be sugar-candy; yet to my raised imagination, divested of its homelier qualities, it appeared a glorified candy.
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.
Hail to thy returning festival, old Bishop Valentine! Great is thy name in the rubric. Like unto thee, assuredly, there is no other mitred father in the calendar.
He is never out of the fashion, or limpeth awkwardly behind it. He is not required to put on court mourning. He weareth all colors, fearing none. His costume hath undergone less change than the Quaker’s. He is the only man in the universe who is not obliged to study appearances.