How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
'I had proved my — my system to myself, and I have rigidly administered it; and I must bear the responsibility of its failures. I only entreat you to believe, my favourite child, that I have meant to do right.' He said it earnestly, and to do him justice he had. In gauging fathomless deeps with his little mean excise-rod, and in staggering over the universe with his rusty stiff-legged compasses, he had meant to do great things. Within the limits of his short tether he had tumbled about, annihilating the flowers of existence with greater singleness of purpose than many of the blatant personages whose company he kept. (3.1.19-20)
There is a comparison here between the true nature of the universe and the ability of any science to measure it (in Dickens's opinion) – "fathomless deeps" and "universe" have the ring of the divine. They really stand out when juxtaposed with the sad little manmade "mean excise-rod" and the "stiff-legged compasses."