Charles Dickens quote about past from David Copperfield - It's in vain . . . to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present.
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It's in vain . . . to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present.
 Charles Dickens, David Copperfield (1850). copy citation

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Author Charles Dickens
Source David Copperfield
Topic past memory present
Date 1850
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/766/766-h/766-h.htm

Context

“I should like some people that I know to hear Dick's conversation on the subject. Its sagacity is wonderful. But no one knows the resources of that man's intellect, except myself!'
She stopped for a moment to take my hand between hers, and went on: 'It's in vain, Trot, to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present. Perhaps I might have been better friends with your poor father. Perhaps I might have been better friends with that poor child your mother, even after your sister Betsey Trotwood disappointed me. When you came to me, a little runaway boy, all dusty and way-worn, perhaps I thought so.” source

Meaning and analysis

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