J. D. Jones

I do not disparage the work that Parliament can do in the way of bettering human conditions, but the ultimate healing of the world's hurt is not to be effected by legislation but by the redeeming grace of God.

–J. D. Jones

Laughter

Having mentioned laughing, I must particularly warn you against it; and I would heartily wish that you may often be seen to smile, but never heard to laugh while you live. Frequent and loud laughter is the characteristic of folly and ill manners; it is the manner in which the mob express their silly joy at silly things; and they call it being merry. In my mind, there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter. True wit, or sense, never yet made anybody laugh; they are above it, they please the mind, and give a cheerfulness to the countenance. But it is low buffoonery, or silly accidents, that always excite laughter; and that is what people of sense and breeding should show themselves above. I am neither of a melancholy nor a cynical disposition, and am as willing and apt to be pleased as anybody; but I am sure that since I had full use of my reason, nobody has ever heard me laugh. Many people, at first, from awkwardness and mauvaise honte, have got a very disagreeable and silly trick of laughing whenever they speak.

—Lord Chesterfield, from a letter to his son on March 9th, 1748.

The Soul of Man under Socialism

In America the President reigns for four years, and Journalism governs for ever and ever. Fortunately, in America, Journalism has carried its authority to the grossest and most brutal extreme. As a natural consequence it has begun to create a spirit of revolt. People are amused by it, or disgusted by it, according to their temperaments. But it is no longer the real force it was. It is not seriously treated. In England, Journalism, except in a few well-known instances, not having been carried to such excess of brutality, is still a great factor, a really remarkable power. The tyranny that it proposes to exercise over people's private lives seems to me to be quite extraordinary. The fact is that the public have an insatiable curiosity to know everything, except what is worth knowing.

—Oscar Wilde, The Soul of Man under Socialism, The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde p 1094.

Song of Solomon

Love is as strong as death.

—Song of Solomon 8:6.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"I hate quotations. Tell me what you know."

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Introduction

Each of these quotes is interesting in its own right; however, I will try to provide enough of a reference for you to look up the context. Some are compelling, some humorous, some moving, some ridiculous, some persuasive, and some intellectual. "They are not half so good as many others I have known," as George MacDonald said, "but what comes nearest to our needs we like the best." (Phantastes, p 262) However, I won't try to describe why each one struck me, unless you insist. People have different emotions and temperaments, and it's not necessary to feel a particular way about them.