A Tale of Two Cities Quotes
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Source: A Tale of Two Cities
Author: Charles Dickens
It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to than I have ever known.
Context
It doesn't get much more famous than the last lines of a Dickens novel.
Sydney Carton says these words as he awaits his fast approaching death. Sydney has volunteered his own life to save the life of his true love's husband, Charles Darnay, who was condemned to death by guillotine for the crimes of his father and brother.
High drama? Indeed. But you've got to give Sydney props for going out in style.
Where you've heard it
You may remember this quote come from The Dark Knight Rises, when Commissioner Gordon reads the last lines of the novel as a eulogy for Bruce Wayne, and as a promise of hope for the revival of Gotham.
Less dramatically, you probably hear it from people are are many seriously tiny sacrifices and (hopefully jokingly) proclaiming how noble they are.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
This ain't no "best of times/worst of times," but...what exactly are you about to do that would merit using this quote?