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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Literature

Why it matters

The idea in context

The opening of A Tale of Two Cities (1859), Dickens's novel of the French Revolution. He paints an age of violent extremes — and the line still fits almost any turbulent era, which is why it never ages.

Türkçe

Aynı kart, başka bir dilde.

Zamanların en iyisiydi, zamanların en kötüsüydü.
Charles Dickens, İki Şehrin Hikayesi

Dickens'ın Fransız Devrimi romanı İki Şehrin Hikâyesi'nin (1859) açılışı. Dickens şiddetli uçların çağını resmeder — ve bu cümle bugün de hemen her çalkantılı döneme uyar; eskimemesinin nedeni budur.

Source trail

Read beyond the card.

Background reading: Charles DickensAttribution and context are revised when stronger evidence appears. Corrections are welcome through the editorial page.
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