Whatever tears one may shed, in the end one always blows one’s nose.
—Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) German Poet, Writer
He does not weep who does not see.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Pearls mean tears.
—Doris Lessing (1919–2013) British Novelist, Poet
There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
The tears of the world are a constant quality. For each one who begins to weep, somewhere else another stops. The same is true of the laugh.
—Samuel Beckett (1906–1989) Irish Novelist, Playwright
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
It opens the lungs, washes the countenance, exercises the eyes, and softens down the temper; so cry away.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
There are people who laugh to show their fine teeth; and there are those who cry to show their good hearts.
—Philibert Joseph Roux (1780–1854) French Surgeon
The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea.
—Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) (1885–1962) Danish Novelist, Short-story Writer
Many shed tears merely for show, and have dry eyes when no one’s around to observe them.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
To weep is to make less the depth of grief.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
I laugh because I must not cry. That is all. That is all.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
More grievous than tears is the sight of them.
—Antonio Porchia (1885–1968) Italian Poet
Every woman is wrong until she cries, and then she is right – instantly.
—Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796–1865) Canadian Author, Humorist, Businessperson, Judge
Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a sign of strength.
—Billy Graham (1918–91) American Baptist Religious Leader
Lips that taste of tears, they say,
Are the best for kissing.
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967) American Humorist, Journalist
Tears such as angels weep.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
I have full cause of weeping, but this heart shall break into a hundred thousand flaws or ere I’ll weep.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Tearless grief bleeds inwardly.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Heavy hearts, like heavy clouds in the sky, are best relieved by the letting of a little water.
—Christopher Morley (1890–1957) American Novelist, Essayist
It’s no accident many accuse me of conducting public affairs with my heart instead of my head. Well, what if I do?. Those who don’t know how to weep with their whole heart don’t know how to laugh either.
—Golda Meir (1898–1978) Israeli Head of State
Unless you have been very, very lucky, you have undoubtedly experienced events in your life that have made you cry. So unless you have been very, very lucky, you know that a good, long session of weeping can often make you feel better, even if your circumstances have not changed one bit.
—Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler) (b.1970) American Novelist
The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.
—John Vance Cheney (1848–1922) American Poet, Essayist, Librarian
One weeps not save when one is afraid, and that is why kings are tyrants.
—Marquis de Sade (1740–1814) French Political leader, Revolutionary, Novelist, Poet, Critic
A man has as much right as a woman to a good cry now and again. The snow gave me shelter; the horse understood and gave me the time.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
It is such a secret place, the land of tears.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
It is some relief to weep; grief is satisfied and carried off by tears.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Crying is the refuge of plain women but the ruin of pretty ones.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
If you wish me to weep, you must first show grief yourself.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Tears are the symbol of the inability of the soul to restrain its emotion and retain its self command.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Women are never landlocked: they’re always mere minutes away from the briny deep of tears.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
I wept not, so to stone within I grew.
—Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) Italian Poet, Philosopher
Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeams.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
Oh! too convincing—dangerously dear—In woman’s eye the unanswerable tear!
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Tears are the silent language of grief.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
I cannot bear it! said the pewter soldier. I have shed pewter tears! It is too melancholy! Rather let me go to the wars and lose arms and legs! It would at least be a change. I cannot bear it longer! Now, I know what it is to have a visit from one’s old thoughts, with what they may bring with them! I have had a visit from mine, and you may be sure it is no pleasant thing in the end; I was at last about to jump down from the drawers.
—Hans Christian Andersen (1805–75) Danish Author, Poet, Short Story Writer
In youth one has tears without grief; in age, griefs without tears
—Philibert Joseph Roux (1780–1854) French Surgeon
The drying up a single tear has more of honest fame, than shedding seas of gore.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Time engraves our faces with all the tears we have not shed.
—Natalie Clifford Barney (1876–1972) American Playwright, Poet, Novelist
Crises bring out the best in the best of us, and the worst in the worst of us.
—Unknown
A woman wears her tears like jewelry.
—Unknown
Tears are the natural penalties of pleasure. It is a law that we should pay for all that we enjoy.
—William Gilmore Simms (1806–70) American Poet, Novelist, Historian
I often want to cry. That is the only advantage women have over men – at least they can cry.
—Jean Rhys (1890–1979) British Novelist, Short-story Writer