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
Pearls mean tears.
—Doris Lessing (1919–2013) British Novelist, Poet
Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeams.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
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
He does not weep who does not see.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
It opens the lungs, washes the countenance, exercises the eyes, and softens down the temper; so cry away.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
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
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
Tearless grief bleeds inwardly.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.
—John Vance Cheney (1848–1922) American Poet, Essayist, Librarian
To weep is to make less the depth of grief.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
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
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
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
Lips that taste of tears, they say,
Are the best for kissing.
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967) American Humorist, Journalist
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
Crying is the refuge of plain women but the ruin of pretty ones.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
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
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
Tears are the silent language of grief.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
A woman wears her tears like jewelry.
—Unknown
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
Whatever tears one may shed, in the end one always blows one’s nose.
—Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) German Poet, Writer
Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Every woman is wrong until she cries, and then she is right – instantly.
—Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796–1865) Canadian Author, Humorist, Businessperson, Judge
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