“这是最好的时代吗”的原文出自 英国作家查尔斯·狄更斯的《双城记》，原文为：

> It was the best of times, it was the worst of times； it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness； it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity； it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness； it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair； we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way.

这段话通过对比和矛盾的手法，描绘了时代的复杂性和多样性，既表达了希望和光明，也揭示了绝望和黑暗。