The innocent seldom find an uneasy pillow.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
All things truly wicked start from an innocence.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
We have not the innocence of Eden; but by God’s help and Christ’s example we may have the victory of Gethsemane.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
There is no aphrodisiac like innocence.
—Jean Baudrillard (1929–2007) French Sociologist, Philosopher
The greenhorn is the ultimate victor in everything; it is he that gets the most out of life.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Innocence can be redefined and called stupidity. Honesty can be called gullibility. Candor becomes lack of common sense. Interest in your work can be called cowardice. Generosity can be called soft-headedness, and observe: the former is disturbing.
—Abraham Maslow (1908–70) American Psychologist, Academic, Humanist
The innocence that feels no risk and is taught no caution is more vulnerable than guilt, and oftener assailed.
—Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806–67) American Poet, Playwright, Essayist
To vice, innocence must always seem only a superior kind of chicanery.
—Ouida (Maria Louise Rame) (1839–1908) English Novelist
Unstained thoughts do seldom dream on evil.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
They that know no evil will suspect none.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
Innocence always calls mutely for protection when we would be so much wiser to guard ourselves against it: innocence is like a dumb leper who has lost his bell, wandering the world, meaning no harm.
—Graham Greene (1904–91) British Novelist, Playwright, Short Story Writer
Against the head which innocence secures, insidious malice aims her darts in vain; turned backward by the powerful breath of heaven.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Innocence and mystery never dwell long together.
—Suzanne Curchod (1739–94) French-Swiss Salonist, Writer
Justice while she winks at crimes, Stumbles on innocence sometimes.
—Samuel Butler
Innocence is like polished armor; it adorns and defends.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
Innocence most often is a good fortune and not a virtue.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
The temperate person’s pleasures are durable because they are regular; and all their life is calm and serene, because it is innocent.
—Unknown
Ignorance is not innocence but sin.
—Robert Browning (1812–89) English Poet
People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
Children, I grant, should be innocent; but when the epithet is applied to men, or women, it is but a civil term for weakness.
—Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–97) English Writer, Feminist
Every harlot was a virgin once.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
I think innocence is something that adults project upon children that’s not really there.
—Donna Tartt (b.1963) American Novelist
It’s innocence when it charms us, ignorance when it doesn’t.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
Those who are incapable of committing great crimes do not readily suspect them in others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Innocence in genius, and candor in power, are both noble qualities.
—Anne Louise Germaine de Stael (1766–1817) French Woman of Letters
There is no man so good, who, were he to submit all his thoughts and actions to the law, would not deserve hanging ten times in his life.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Through our own recovered innocence we discern the innocence of our neighbors.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
A mind conscious of innocence laughs at the lies of rumor.
—Latin Proverb
The silence, often, of pure innocence, persuades when speaking fails.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
O, innocence, the sacred amulet against all the poisons of infirmity, and all misfortunes, injury, and death.
—George Chapman (c.1560–1634) English Poet, Playwright