There once was a child, and he strolled about a good deal, and thought of a number of things. He had a sister, who was a child too, and his constant companion. These two used to wonder all day long. They wondered at the beauty of the flowers; they wondered at the height and blueness of the sky; they wondered at the depth of the bright water; they wondered at the goodness and the power of God who made the lovely world.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the natural curiosity and wonder of childhood in relation to the world and God.
Charles Dickens captures the essence of innocence and exploration in childhood. The child and his sister, through their playful wonder, embody a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature and the divine creation surrounding them. Their shared curiosity highlights the significance of observing the world with awe and reverence, inviting us to remember the simplicity and joy found in little things.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of nurturing curiosity in children.
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,” said Miss Pross, in her breathing. “Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
Europe and the world are waiting for us to defend the spirit of the enlightenment everywhere.
The strong are strengthened by reverses; the trouble is that the true meaning of events scores next to nothing in the match we play with men. Appearances decide our gains or losses and the points are trumpery. And a mere semblance of defeat may hopelessly checkmate us.
All those evil doctrines about God that work misery and madness have their origin in the brains of the wise and prudent, not in the hearts of children.
Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.
Good people can't out-think evil, cause evil thinks of things good folks can't think of.
We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.
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