Yet men go abroad to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering.

- Saint Augustine (Confessions Bk. X ch. 8)

Ah, my poor friend, men have sunk very low, the devil take them! They've let their bodies become mute and they only speak with their mouths. But what d'you expect a mouth to say? What can it tell you? 

- Nikos Kazantzakis (Zorba The Greek)

From quiet homes and first beginnings,

Out to the undiscovered ends,

There's nothing worth the wear of winning,

But laughter and the love of friends.

-Hilaire Belloc (Verses 10 "Dedicatory Ode") 

Without coming out, no one can imagine how lovely spring is.

 - Liniang - from The Peony Pavilion, by Tang Xianzu (1550-1616 C.E.)