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
The drying up a single tear has more of honest fame, than shedding seas of gore.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Tears are the silent language of grief.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Time engraves our faces with all the tears we have not shed.
—Natalie Clifford Barney (1876–1972) American Playwright, Poet, Novelist
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
To weep is to make less the depth of grief.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Heavy hearts, like heavy clouds in the sky, are best relieved by the letting of a little water.
—Christopher Morley (1890–1957) American Novelist, Essayist
Women are never landlocked: they’re always mere minutes away from the briny deep of tears.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
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 have full cause of weeping, but this heart shall break into a hundred thousand flaws or ere I’ll weep.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeams.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.
—John Vance Cheney (1848–1922) American Poet, Essayist, Librarian
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
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
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
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