There is no absurdity so palpable but that it may be firmly planted in the human head if you only begin to inculcate it before the age of five, by constantly repeating it with an air of great solemnity.
Because of its tremendous solemnity death is the light in which great passions, both good and bad, become transparent, no longer limited by outward appearances.
Gloom and solemnity are entirely out of place in even the most rigorous study of an art originally intended to make glad the heart of man.
Ability is commonly found to consist mainly in a high degree of solemnity.
Behold! thou hast one more chance! Strive for immortal glory!
A harmless hilarity and a buoyant cheerfulness are not infrequent concomitants of genius; and we are never more deceived than when we mistake gravity for greatness, solemnity for science, and pomposity for erudition.
Caution: These verses may be hazardous to your solemnity.
I have been aware all the time that my peoples, spread far and wide throughout every continent and ocean in the world, were united to support me in the task to which I have now been dedicated with such solemnity.
For now she need not think of anybody. She could be herself, by herself. And that was what now she often felt the need of - to think; well not even to think. To be silent; to be alone.
A serious writer is not to be confounded with a solemn writer. A serious writer may be a hawk or a buzzard or even a popinjay, but a solemn writer is always a bloody owl.
One could write a history of science in reverse by assembling the solemn pronouncements of highest authority about what could not be done and could never happen.
There are people who believe everything is sane and sensible that is done with a solemn face.
Everything has two sides - the outside that is ridiculous, and the inside that is solemn.
Let the blue sky overhead, The green earth on which ye tread, All that must eternal be Witness the solemnity.
It seemed to be a necessary ritual that he should prepare himself for sleep by meditating under the solemnity of the night sky... a mysterious transaction between the infinity of the soul and the infinity of the universe.
O, with what freshness, what solemnity and beauty, is each new day born; as if to say to insensate man, "Behold! thou hast one more chance! Strive for immortal glory!
Solemnity is the shield of idiots
Solemnity is a device of the body to hide the faults of the mind.
We must bear in recollection that the sentiment of the picture is that of solemnity, not gaiety & nothing garish, but the contrary - yet it must be bright, clear, alive fresh, and all the front seen.
Jokes are generally honest. Complete solemnity is always dishonest.
or simply: