"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"
- Charles Dickens
About this Quote
This quote from Charles Dickens' book A Tale of Two Cities is a reflection of the turbulent times in which the book is set. It talks to the duality of the era, in which there was both great pleasure and excellent suffering. The phrase "the very best of times" describes the optimism and hope that many individuals felt throughout the French Revolution, while "the worst of times" refers to the violence and mayhem that accompanied it. The quote is a tip that even in the most hard of times, there can still be moments of pleasure and hope. It is a tip that even in the darkest of times, there is still light. It is a reminder that even in the most trying of times, there is still something to be grateful for.
"Don't lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality"
"The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom"
