Earnestness is enthusiasm tempered by reason.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Earnestness can ferment into sentimentality.
Nowadays I'd describe myself as earnest, terribly earnest. I'm the person who wants everybody in the room to feel important and happy.
Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.
What is enthusiasm but a passionate belief in what seems to be a high and holy aim - an unselfish devotion to some noble cause - a consecration of heart and mind and soul to the attainment of a great object?
Enthusiasm is the energy and force that builds literal momentum of the human soul and mind.
Enthusiasm is the divine particle in our composition: with it we are great, generous, and true; without it, we are little, false, and mean.
Enthusiasm is a form of social courage.
Earnestness is stupidity sent to college.
Enthusiasm is always an interesting spectacle. When it expresses itself with an honest and artless eloquence, it is difficult to listen to it and not, in some degree, to catch the flame.
I think enthusiasm is the answer to passionate writing.