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Once a year Quote by Charles Dickens

“The clerk observed that it was only once a year. “A poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every twenty-fifth of December!” quote by Charles Dickens
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““The clerk observed that it was only once a year. “A poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every twenty-fifth of December!””

Charles Dickens

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Pickwick Papers, 1836

The narrator notes the rarity of a particular event, humorously calling it a poor excuse for petty theft.

In simple terms: Rare events can be used to justify wrongdoing.

Key Takeaway

Don’t excuse misdeeds with rarity.

Themes

morality humor social critique

Mood

wry critical

Type

literary satirical

When to use this quote

  • legal justice
  • personal integrity
  • community standards
  • historical context

Key Concepts

ethical relativism satire

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is an excuse acceptable?
  • How does humor reveal ethical flaws?
A Different Perspective

Some may argue scarcity justifies opportunism.

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