15+ Important Tiny Tim Quotes From Dickens' A Christmas Carol

Since its publication in 1843, Tiny Tim has been a favorite character from the Charles Dickens classic Christmas tale 'A Christmas Carol'.

Tiny Tim is a minor yet significant character in 'A Christmas Carol' who symbolizes the plight of the poor, innocence in a corrupt world and Ebenezer Scrooge's own conscience. Tiny Tim plays a pivotal role in the change of heart Ebenezer Scrooge experiences, as he changes his miserly ways and learns to value human relationships.

If you want more 'A Christmas Carol' quote inspiration, take a look at these 'A Christmas Carol' quotes and these Ebenezer Scrooge quotes?

Whilst Tiny Tim has little dialogue in Charles Dickens' novella, his kindness and compassion is evident, epitomized by the famous line "God bless us every one".

1.  "And even Tiny Tim, excited by the two young Cratchits, beat on the table with the handle of his knife, and feebly cried Hurrah!"

- Stave 3, 'A Christmas Carol'.  

2. "God bless us every one!"

- Tiny Tim.

3. "A Merry Christmas to us all; God bless us, every one!"

- Tiny Tim.

4. "He hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas day who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see."

- Bob Cratchit.

5.  "Then the two young Cratchits got upon his knees and laid, each child a little cheek, against his face, as if they said, "Don’t mind it, Father. Don’t be grieved!""

- Stave 3, 'A Christmas Carol'.  

Part of Scrooge's evolution is conveyed through his response to Tiny Tim and how this contrasts at the start and end of the novella. At first he is indifferent to the poor and Tiny Tim, however by the third ghost's vision of the future he mourns the image of Tiny Tim's death from an unknown illness and becomes a second father to him when Scrooge awakens on Christmas Day.

6. "If they would rather die... they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."

- Ebenezer Scrooge.

7. "Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father."

-  Stave 5, 'A Christmas Carol'.

8. "Spirit,... tell me if Tiny Tim will live."

- Ebenezer Scrooge.

The main insight we gain into Tiny Tim is from other character's dialogue. Moreover, how people interact with Tiny Tim illustrates their character, as we favor those who help him and show the Cratchit family kindness.

9. "Tiny Tim, bore a little crutch, his limbs supported by an iron frame."

-  Stave 3, 'A Christmas Carol'.

10. "He sat very close to his father's side, upon his little stool. Bob held his withered little hand in his, as if he loved the child, and wished to keep him by his side, and dreaded that he might be taken from him."

-  Stave 3, 'A Christmas Carol'.

11. "Spirit of Tiny Tim, thy childish essence was from God".

-  Stave 4, 'A Christmas Carol'.

12. "There was a chair set close beside the child, and there were signs of someone having been there, lately. Poor Bob sat down in it, and when he had thought a little and composed himself, he kissed the little face. He was reconciled to what had happened, and went down again quite happy."

-  Stave 4, 'A Christmas Carol'.

13. "I see a vacant seat... in the poor chimney-corner, and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. "

- The Ghost of Christmas Present.

One of the most emotive elements in the novella is the relationship between Bob Cratchit and his son Tiny Tim. Indeed his love for his son and his inability to help him tells us as much about the Cratchit family as these 'A Christmas Carol' Tiny Tim quotes do.

14.  "I promised him that I would walk there on a Sunday. My little, little child!  My little child!".

- Bob Cratchit.

15.  "It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt with us."

- Bob Cratchit.

16. "I am sure we shall none of us forget Tiny Tim".

- Bob Cratchit.

17. "I know, my dears, that when we recollect how patient and how mild he was; although he was a little, little child; we shall not quarrel easily among ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim in doing it."

- Bob Cratchit.

Whilst none of the ghosts directly interact with Tiny Tim, by showing Scrooge that Tiny Tim will die if Scrooge does not change his ways, they help him change his outlook.

18. "If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none other of my race... will find him here. What then? If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."

- The Ghost of Christmas Present.

19. "So perhaps, in the future, you will hold your tongue until you have discovered where the surplus population is, and who it is. It may well be that, in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man's child."

- The Ghost of Christmas Present.

Here at Kidadl, we have curated more literature quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our Tiny Tim 'Christmas Carol' quotes, then visit our Charles Dickens Quotes or Oliver Twist Quotes.