I don't make merry myself at Christmas, and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned—they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.” Scrooge explains that he has no desire to help others celebrate Christmas when he doesn't observe the holiday himself.

What is Scrooge's famous phrase?

Scrooge: “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. ''

Why does Scrooge think his nephew should not be merry?

Scrooge despises the Christmas holiday and believes that it is simply a time for people to pay bills without any money. Essentially, he labels his nephew and clerk fools because they celebrate Christmas and are in good spirits during the holiday season.