Tears are the silent language of grief.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
We feel at first as if some opportunities of kindness and sympathy were lost, but learn afterward that any pure grief is ample recompense for all. That is, if we are faithful;—for a spent grief is but sympathy with the soul that disposes events, and is as natural as the resin of Arabian trees.—Only nature has a right to grieve perpetually, for she only is innocent. Soon the ice will melt, and the blackbirds sing along the river which he frequented, as pleasantly as ever. The same everlasting serenity will appear in this face of God, and we will not be sorrowful, if he is not.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Since grief only aggravates your loss, grieve not for what is past.
—Walker Percy (1916–90) American Novelist
For precious friends hid in death’s dateless night.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Man, when he does not grieve, hardly exists.
—Antonio Porchia (1885–1968) Italian Poet
Even his griefs are a joy, long after, to one that remembers all that he wrought and endured
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
Hired mourners at a funeral say and do – A little more than they whose grief is true
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
What right have I to grieve, who have not ceased to wonder?
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Of all the griefs that harass the distressed, sure the most bitter is a scornful jest
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Oh that it were possible, After long grief and pain, To find the arms of my true love, Around me once again
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
It is foolish to tear one’s hair in grief, as though sorrow would be made less by baldness.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Patch grief with proverbs.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
The end of an ox is beef, and the end of a lie is grief.
—African Proverb
Grief should be like joy, majestic, sedate, confirming, cleansing, equable, making free, strong to consume small troubles, to command great thoughts, grave thoughts, thoughts lasting to the end.
—Aubrey Thomas de Vere (1814–1902) Irish Poet, Critic
On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend’s life also, in our own, to the world.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Time is the great comforter of grief, but the agency by which it works is exhaustion.
—Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–38) English Poet, Novelist
What we call mourning for our dead is perhaps not so much grief at not being able to call them back; as it is grief at not being able to want to do so
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955) German Novelist, Critic, Philanthropist, Essayist
Where grief is fresh, any attempt to divert it only irritates.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Every one can master a grief but he that hath it.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
The gallantry of his grief did put me into a towering passion.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Moderate lamentation is the right of the dead; excessive grief the enemy of the living.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
What’s gone and what’s past help should be past grief.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
I measure every grief I meet with narrow, probing eyes – I wonder if it weighs like mine – or has an easier size.
—Emily Dickinson (1830–86) American Poet
He that conceals his grief finds no remedy for it
—Turkish Proverb
Ring out the grief that saps the mind, for those that were here we see no more.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
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
Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.
—C. S. Lewis (1898–1963) Irish-British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
What the heart has once owned and had, it shall never lose.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
What is deservedly suffered must be borne with calmness, but when the pain is unmerited, the grief is resistless.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
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