Washington Irving Quotes: 12

• 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.

• There is a sacredness in tears....They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.

• Honest good humor is the oil and wine of a merry meeting, and there is no jovial companionship equal to that where the jokes are rather small and laughter abundant.

• A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.

• Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.

• Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.

• Great minds have purpose, others have wishes. Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them.

• Others may write from the head, but he writes from the heart, and the heart will always understand him.

  the legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories

• To look upon its grass grown yard, where the sunbeams seem to sleep so quietly, one would think that there at least the dead might rest in peace.

  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

• There are certain half-dreaming moods of mind in which we naturally steal away from noise and glare, and seek some quiet haunt where we may indulge our reveries and build our air castles undisturbed.

  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories

• Balt Van Tassel was an easy indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.

  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

• ...ducks and geese are foolish things, and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.

  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow