The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.
—John Vance Cheney (1848–1922) American Poet, Essayist, Librarian
A teardrop on earth summons the King of heaven.
—Chuck Swindoll (b.1934) American Evangelical Christian Pastor, Author
Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeams.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
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
Some tears belong to us because we are unfortunate: others because we are humane: many because we are mortal.—But most are caused by our being unwise.—It is these last, only, that of necessity produce more.
—Leigh Hunt (1784–1859) British Poet, Essayist, Journalist
The young man who has not wept is a savage, and the old man who will not laugh is a fool.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
A smile is ever the most bright and beautiful with a tear upon it.—What is the dawn without its dew?—The tear, by the smile, is made precious above the smile itself.
—Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) English Writer, Poet
Tears are the silent language of grief.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
That long drip of human tears.
—Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) English Novelist, Poet
In youth one has tears without grief; in age, griefs without tears.
—Philibert Joseph Roux (1780–1854) French Surgeon
Tears are often the telescope through which men see far into heaven.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Repentance hath a purifying power, and every tear is of a cleansing virtue; but these penitential clouds must be still kept dropping; one shower will not suffice; for repentance is not one single action but a course.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
Tears such as angels weep.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
My tears must stop, for every drop Hinders needle and thread.
—Thomas Hood (1799–1845) English Poet, Humorist
What a hell of witchcraft lies in the small orb of one particular tear!
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Tears are the softening showers which cause the seed of heaven to spring up in the human heart.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Pride dries the tears of anger and vexation; humility, those of grief. The one is indignant that we should suffer: the other calms us by the reminder that we deserve nothing else.
—Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857) Russian Mystic, Writer
Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
The tear of joy is a pearl of the first water; the mourning tear, only of the second.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Philosopher
Scorn the proud man that is ashamed to weep.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
I laugh because I must not cry. That is all. That is all.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
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, Historian, Novelist, Editor
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
Heaven and God are best discerned through tears; scarcely perhaps are discerned at all without them. The constant association of prayer with the hour of bereavement and the scenes of death suffice to show this.
—James Martineau (1805–1900) English Philosopher, Religious Leader
Love is loveliest when embalmed in tears.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
A tear dries quickly when it is shed for troubles of others.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Tears, idle tears, I know not what they mean,—tears from the depth of some divine despair rise in the heart and gather in the eyes, in looking on the happy autumn fields, and thinking of days that are no more.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
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
What would women do if they could not cry?—What poor, defenceless creatures they would be.
—Douglas William Jerrold (1803–57) English Writer, Dramatist, Wit
Leave a Reply