The Prince and the Pauper quotes

The world is made wrong; kings should go to school to their own laws, at times, and so learn mercy.

— Spoken by a character · XXVII. In Prison

“Rise, Sir Miles Hendon, Knight,” said the King, gravely--giving the accolade with Hendon’s sword--“rise, and seat thyself. Thy petition is granted. Whilst England remains, and the crown continues, the privilege shall not lapse.”

— the King · XII. The Prince and his Deliverer

I will keep this diligently in my remembrance, that this day’s lesson be not lost upon me, and my people suffer thereby; for learning softeneth the heart and breedeth gentleness and charity.

— Spoken by a character · IV. The Prince’s troubles begin

“Kings cannot ennoble thee, thou good, great soul, for One who is higher than kings hath done that for thee; but a king can confirm thy nobility to men.”

— Spoken by a character · XXVIII. The sacrifice

“What dost thou know of suffering and oppression? I and my people know, but not thou.”

— Spoken by a character · XXXIII. Edward as King

When I am king, they shall not have bread and shelter only, but also teachings out of books; for a full belly is little worth where the mind is starved, and the heart.

— Spoken by a character · IV. The Prince’s troubles begin

What God wills, will happen; thou canst not hurry it, thou canst not alter it; therefore wait, and be patient--‘twill be time enow to rail or rejoice when what is to happen has happened.” {1}

— Spoken by a character · XXIII. The Prince a prisoner

It does us all good to unbend sometimes.

By-and-by Tom’s reading and dreaming about princely life wrought such a strong effect upon him that he began to act the prince, unconsciously.

In the ancient city of London, on a certain autumn day in the second quarter of the sixteenth century, a boy was born to a poor family of the name of Canty, who did not want him. On the same day another English child was born to a rich family of the name of Tudor, who did want him.