It Is a Far, Far Better Thing
Name that novel. I was reminded of this quote from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities when a co-worker of mine asked us for famous literary quotes for a work project. I kept thinking, “It is a far, far better thing…” and then couldn’t remember the rest. Nor could I remember where it came from. So I googled it of course and then remembered faintly. The quote in full is this:
“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.”
It was said by a dead-beat-turned-hero in the novel as he sacrifices his life for another on the guillotine (at least this is what I recall from high school). Something in that simple arrangement of words associated with such a profound moment made me read the sentence several times on screen when I found it.
Read it again.
Maybe you would have rather pulled your own teeth out than read Dickens as a teenager. But here I sit, a decade later, and I think I know why it’s endured the curriculum for so many years.
This made me cry. Not sure why except the words are profound. I love you
I know, right? Can’t put my finger on it. Just powerful, beautiful and plain all at the same time…
I love “A Tale of Two Cities.” Great book…and you’re right…definitely a classic. Did you ever see the Wishbone episode? =)
No! I need to. I don’t remember many Wishbone episodes though. I don’t think I was as into it as I should’ve been.
Well, if you ever have a lot of free time on your hands, I can probably hook you up with some Wishbone DVDs… 😛 (I was a big fan.) 😉
wow. good stuff. i knew i loved this book for some reason. thanks for taking me there again.
Great stuff, but I have to admit that as I read your post’s title, I didn’t immediately think of Charles Dickens. Instead, all I could think of was James T. Kirk in The Wrath of Khan. He quoted those words as he sent Spock’s lifeless body down to the Genesis planet. Sorry. I guess I’m too much of a Trekkie.
Ha! It’s ok. I’m too much of a book nerd 🙂
Interesting. I am amazed.