It is a general popular error to suppose the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
I believe in grumbling; it is the politest form of fighting known.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
Realize that if you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it.
—Anthony J. D’Angelo
I think a compliment ought to always precede a complaint, where one is possible, because it softens resentment and insures for the complaint a courteous and gentle reception.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.
—Lou Holtz (1893–1980) American Stage Performer
The wheel that squeaks the loudest is the one that gets the grease.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
When a person finds themselves predisposed to complaining about how little they are regarded by others, let them reflect how little they have contributed to the happiness of others.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects.
—Francis Jeffrey, Lord Jeffrey (1773–1850) Scottish Judge, Literary Critic
He cannot complain of a hard sentence, who is made master of his own fate.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
When any anxiety or gloom of the mind takes hold of you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaining; but exert yourselves to hide it, and by endeavoring to hide it you drive it away.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
To make a criticism is a bit like complaining about the shape of the Pyramids.
—Unknown
We do not wisely when we vent complaint and censure.—We cry out for a little pain, when we do but smile for a great deal of contentment.
—Owen Feltham (1602–1668) English Essayist
Firmness, both in suffering and exertion, is a character which I would wish to possess.—I have always despised the whining yelp of complaint, and the cowardly feeble resolve.
—Robert Burns (1759–96) Scottish Poet, Songwriter
Complaint is the largest tribute Heaven receives.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
Noise proves nothing, Often a hen who has laid an egg cackles as if she had laid an asteroid.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
To hear complaints is tiresome to the miserable and the happy.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
When complaints are freely heard, deeply considered and speedily reformed, then is the utmost bound of civil liberty attained that wise men look for.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
Oh, wouldn’t the world seem dull and flat with nothing whatever to grumble at?
—W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) English Dramatist, Librettist, Poet, Illustrator
Untold suffering seldom is.
—Franklin P. Jones
One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him.
—Chinese Proverb
What do sad complaints avail if the offense is not cut down by punishment.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Intelligence is nothing without delight.
—Paul Claudel (1868–1955) French Poet, Essayist, Dramatist
Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, complaining of the present, and trembling for the future.
—Antoine de Rivarol (1753–1801) French Writer, Epigrammatist
Constant complaint is the poorest sort of pay for all the comforts we enjoy.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
—William Lonsdale Watkinson
The squeaking wheel doesn’t always get the grease. Sometimes it gets replaced.
—Unknown
He that falls by himself never cries.
—Turkish Proverb
Never complain. Never explain.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
Sweat silently. Let’s have no squawking about a little expenditure of energy.
—Martin H. Fischer
Talk happiness. The world is sad enough without your woe. No path is wholly rough.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur