What is earnest is not always true; on the contrary, error…

This is to be observed of the Bishop of London, that, though apparently of a spirit somewhat austere, there is in his idiosyncrasy a…

— Benjamin Disraeli

Nonsense, when earnest, is impressive, and sometimes takes you in. If you are in a hurry, you occasionally mistake it for sense.

— Benjamin Disraeli

He who says he hates all kinds of flattery, and says so in earnest, has undoubtedly not as yet become acquainted with all kinds…

— Georg C. Lichtenberg

Deemest thou laborOnly is earnest?Grave is all beauty,Solemn is joy.

— William Watson

If we with earnest effort could succeed To make our life one long, connected prayer, As lives of some, perhaps, have been and are;…

— Richard Chenevix Trench

Extension work is not exhortation. Nor is it exploitation of the people, or advertising of an institution, or publicity work for securing students. It…

— Liberty Hyde Bailey

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends forth to you an earnest appeal. Open your doors to the missionaries. Open your minds…

— Thomas S. Monson

My most earnest wish is to see the republican element of popular control pushed to the maximum of its practicable exercise. I shall then…

— Thomas Jefferson

As if goaded by a kind of frantic despair, I sketched these dirty, ragged little victims of the war with their bruised, lacerated minds…

— Walter Keane

Earnest men never think in vain, though their thoughts may be errors.

— Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

The family circle has widened. The worldpool of information fathered by the electric media--movies, Telstar, flight--far surpassesany possible influence mom and dad can now…

— Marshall McLuhan

Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian community even though their…

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In the formation of such a government, it is not only the right, but the indispensable duty of every citizen to examine the principles…

— Noah Webster

Lord, send Your life throughout the entire church. Visit Your church; restore sound doctrine and holy, earnest living. Take away from professing Christians their…

— Charles Spurgeon

He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be…

— Katherine Paterson