Quote

Earnestness is enthusiasm tempered by reason.

Words impress me. If a man can speak eloquently and beautifully to me, I just melt on the floor.

Nowadays I'd describe myself as earnest, terribly earnest. I'm the person who wants everybody in the room to feel important and happy.

When a man leaves you notes saying he loves you, or asks how your day was - and then listens - you feel special.

By sincerity, a man gains physical, mental and linguistic straightforwardness, and harmonious tendency; that is, congruence of speech and action.

Earnestness can ferment into sentimentality.

He believes in romance. He isn't merely going through the mechanical movements of a man in an exciting situation. He is, vitally and positively squeezing the last drop of delight from living the best life he knows in the best way he can.

When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments; tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become.

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

He surprised me by his familiarity with details of movements and battles which I did not suppose had come to his knowledge. As he kept me talking for over half an hour, I flattered myself that what I had to say interested him.