Little Dorrit

No public business of any kind could possibly be done at any time, without the acquiescence of the Circumlocution Office. Its finger was in the largest public pie, and in the smallest public tart.

Quoted on May 20, 2012

If Young John had ever slackened in his truth in the less penetrable days of his boyhood, when youth is prone to wear its boots unlaced and is happily unconscious of digestive organs, he had soon strung it up again and screwed it tight.

Quoted on May 20, 2012

"-'You lead such a busy life?'
-'Yes, I always have some of'em to look up, or something to look after. But I like business,' said Pancks, getting on a little faster. 'What's a man made for?'
-'For nothing else?' said Clennam.
Pancks put the counter question, 'What else?' . . . 'Here am I,' said Pancks, pursuing his argument with the weekly tenant. 'What else do you suppose I am made for? Nothing. Rattle me out of bed early, set me going, give me as short a time as you like to bolt my meals in, and keep me at it. Keep me always at it, and I'll keep you always at it, you keep somebody else at it. There you are with the Whole Duty of Man in a commercial country.'

Quoted on May 20, 2012