Top 12 Doleful Quotes & Sayings

You hear all this whining going on, "Where are our great writers?" The thing I might feel doleful about is: Where are the readers?

I love a ballad but even too well if it be doleful matter merrily set down, or a very pleasant thing indeed and sung lamentably.

Every man is occasionally visited by the suspicion that the planet on which he is riding is not really going anywhere; that the Force which controls its measured eccentricities hasn't got anything special in mind. If he broods on this somber theme long enough he gets the doleful idea that the laughing children on a merry-go-round or the thin, fine hands of a lady's watch are revolving more purposely than he is.

You hear all this whining going on, 'Where are our great writers?' The thing I might feel doleful about is: Where are the readers?

The days are cold, the nights are long, The North wind sings a doleful song; Then hush again upon my breast; All merry things are now at rest, Save thee, my pretty love!

When griping grief the heart doth wound, and doleful dumps the mind opresses, then music, with her silver sound, with speedy help doth lend redress.

If he does go, the change will be doleful. Suppose he should be absent spring, summer, and autumn: how joyless sunshine and fine days will seem!

They are quite hopeless - drooling, driveling, doleful, depressing, dropsical drips.

Why is it that man desires to be made sad, beholding doleful and tragical things, which yet himself would by no means suffer?

Sorrow, like a heavy ringing bell, once set on ringing, with its own weight goes; then little strength rings out the doleful knell.

Straight is the way to Acheron, Whether the spirit's race is run From Athens or from Meroe: Weep not, far from home to die; The wind doth blow in every sky That wafts us to that doleful sea.

A dungeon horrible, on all sides round, As one great furnace, flamed; yet from those flames No light, but rather darkness visible Serv'd only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace And rest can never dwell, hope never comes That comes to all; but torture without end.