Crying is the refuge of plain women but the ruin of pretty ones.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Time engraves our faces with all the tears we have not shed.
—Natalie Clifford Barney (1876–1972) American Playwright, Poet, Novelist
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
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
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
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
Crises bring out the best in the best of us, and the worst in the worst of us.
—Unknown
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 cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea.
—Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) (1885–1962) Danish Novelist, Short-story Writer
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
Whatever tears one may shed, in the end one always blows one’s nose.
—Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) German Poet, Writer
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
Tears are the silent language of grief.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeams.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
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
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
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
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
The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.
—John Vance Cheney (1848–1922) American Poet, Essayist, Librarian
Pearls mean tears.
—Doris Lessing (1919–2013) British Novelist, Poet
More grievous than tears is the sight of them.
—Antonio Porchia (1885–1968) Italian Poet
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
In youth one has tears without grief; in age, griefs without tears
—Philibert Joseph Roux (1780–1854) French Surgeon
Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
If you wish me to weep, you must first show grief yourself.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Lips that taste of tears, they say,
Are the best for kissing.
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967) American Humorist, Journalist
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
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
Every woman is wrong until she cries, and then she is right – instantly.
—Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796–1865) Canadian Author, Humorist, Businessperson, Judge
Tearless grief bleeds inwardly.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist