Persons Quotes
Old-fashioned wit built around a single formal word.
The word 'persons' carries a formal, almost old-fashioned weight in these lines, whether describing how happiness treats everyone the same or how civilization is really just the shaping of civil persons. That contrast between grand claims and dry humor runs through the set, including a bit of Humanity-focused observation.
Great allowances ought to be made for the petulance of persons laboring under ill-health.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'happiness is no respecter of persons' mean?
It's an old way of saying happiness doesn't play favorites based on rank, wealth, or status — everyone is equally eligible for it. The phrasing sounds formal, which is part of what makes it memorable.
Why is marriage advice included on a page about 'persons'?
One quote gives blunt advice to persons about to marry, cutting the sentence short for comic effect. It's a classic example of using a formal, plural noun to set up a joke rather than a serious lecture.
What is meant by 'civil persons' in these quotes?
That line argues civilization itself is essentially the process of shaping civil persons — people who behave with basic courtesy and restraint. It ties into broader ideas about Humanity and how societies are built from individual behavior.
Is there a quote here about illness or hardship?
Yes, one asks for allowances to be made for the petulance of persons suffering ill-health, essentially arguing that sickness excuses some short temper. It's a more sympathetic entry compared to the page's drier jokes.
Why do these quotes all use the word 'persons' instead of 'people'?
The word 'persons' has a formal, legalistic tone that older writers used deliberately, often to add weight or irony to an otherwise simple observation. That word choice is part of what gives this set its distinct, slightly antique voice.
One of the sharpest entries offers famously blunt advice to persons about to marry, while another asks for patience toward persons struggling with poor health. Together they show how a single formal noun can carry both comedy and genuine Emotion.
