quotations about innocence
Innocence is the most profitable thing in the world, because it makes all things else profitable.
E. C. CLAYTON
attributed, Day's Collacon
There is but one resource for innocence among men or women, and that is an embargo upon all commerce of bad men.
HENRY WARD BEECHER
Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit
Who dwells with Innocence his guide,
Still drinks of Joy's heart-cheering tide,
Inspiring strength to hold his course,
Against Temptation's thwarting force.
WILLIAM CAMERON
"Ode to Innocence"
Ignorance is learned; innocence is forgotten.
JOSé BERGAMÍN
The Rocket and the Star
Every person that comes into this earth ... is born sweet and full of love. A little child loves ever'body, friends, and its nature is sweetness -- until something happens. Something happens, friends, I don't need to tell people like you that can think for theirselves. As that little child gets bigger, its sweetness don't show so much, cares and troubles come to perplext it, and all its sweetness is driven inside it. Then it gets miserable and lonesome and sick, friends. It says, 'Where is all my sweetness gone? Where are all the friends that loved me?' and all the time, that little beat-up rose of its sweetness is inside, not a petal dropped.
FLANNERY O'CONNOR
Wise Blood
It's of more importance to community, that innocence should be protected, than it is, that guilt should be punished; for guilt and crimes are so frequent in the world, that all of them cannot be punished; and many times they happen in such a manner, that it is not of much consequence to the public, whether they are punished or not. But when innocence itself, is brought to the bar and condemned, especially to die, the subject will exclaim, it is immaterial to me, whether I behave well or ill; for virtue itself, is no security.
JOHN ADAMS
argument for the defense in trial of British soldiers, December 3, 1770
O Innocence, with laughing eyes!
Thou art a cherub from the skies,
A wanderer from heaven.
HARVEY RICE
"Innocence"
Go in thy native innocence, rely
On what thou hast of virtue, summon all,
For God towards thee hath done his part, do thine.
JOHN MILTON
Paradise Lost
Every life is a march from innocence, through temptation, to virtue or vice.
LYMAN ABBOTT
Problems of Life
Birds do not sing in caves, nor do doves cherish their innocence in dovecots.
HENRY DAVID THOREAU
Walden
A library is a place where you can lose your innocence without losing your virginity.
GERMAINE GREER
attributed, The Sarcasm Handbook
A new life is innocent, like an empty page, ready for the hard lessons ahead.
GENNITA LOW
Facing Fear
Justice is the virtue that innocence rejoiceth in.
BEN JONSON
Timber
An age that melts with unperceiv'd decay,
And glides in modest innocence away.
SAMUEL JOHNSON
Vanity of Human Wishes
Justice is always violent to the party offending, for every man is innocent in his own eyes.
DANIEL DEFOE
Shortest Way with Dissenters
The sweet converse of an innocent mind.
JOHN KEATS
"Sonnet to Solitude"
I used to be Snow White -- but I drifted.
MAE WEST
The Wit and Wisdom of Mae West
Innocence is its own defense.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Poor Richard's Almanack, 1733
Blushes are the sign of guilt; true innocence is ashamed of nothing.
JEAN JACQUES ROUSSEAU
Emile
There is no aphrodisiac like innocence.
JEAN BAUDRILLARD
Cool Memories