Employment is the surest antidote¹ to sorrow.

Ann Radcliffe (1764 - 1823), The Mysteries of Udolpho, 1764

It is light grief that can take counsel.

Anonymous²

Grief is the agony of an instant, the indulgence of grief the blunder of a life.

Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)

These days grief seems like walking on a frozen river; most of the time he feels safe enough, but there is always that danger he will plunge³ through.

David Nicholls, One Day, 2010

Grief is Newark. It's there. Can't avoid it. The idea is to hold your nose, hope the traffic's not too bad and get on to Manhattan as quickly as possible.

Eli Attie, House M.D., Dying Changes Everything, 2008

Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.

Euripides (484 BC - 406 BC)

The only cure for grief is action.

George Henry Lewes

Even his griefs are a joy long after to one that remembers all that he wrought⁴ and endured.

Homer (800 BC - 700 BC), The Odyssey⁵

Grief does not change you, it reveals you.

John Green, The Fault in Our Stars, 2012

It seems the misfortune of one can plow⁶ a deeper furrow⁷ in the heart than the misfortune of millions.

Kirby Larson, Hattie Big Sky, 2006

Grief can take care of itself; but to get the full value of a joy you must have someone to divide it with.

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till it be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains⁸ of it.

Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)

Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver.

Sophocles (496 BC - 406 BC), Antigone

The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.

Sophocles (496 BC - 406 BC), Oedipus Rex

I just realized that there's going to be a lot of painful times in life, so I better learn to deal with it the right way.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park, Raisins⁹, 2003

What's gone and what's past help

Should be past grief.

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "The Winter's Tale", Act 3 scene 2