In short it may be said that on paper the obligations to settle international disputes peacefully are now so comprehensive and far-reaching that it is almost impossible for a state to resort to war without violating one or more solemn treaty obligations.

As societies grow decadent the language grows decadent too. Words are used to disguise not to illuminate action: you liberate a city by destroying it. Words are to confuse so that at election time people will solemnly vote against their own interests.

A marriage is no amusement but a solemn act and generally a sad one.

I respect the fact that many denominations have different points of view with respect to gay marriage and they can hold that in the sanctity in the place of their religion and not bless them or solemnize them.

While the laughter of joy is in full harmony with our deeper life the laughter of amusement should be kept apart from it. The danger is too great of thus learning to look at solemn things in a spirit of mockery and to seek in them opportunities for exercising wit.

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.

In America the race goes to the loud the solemn the hustler. If you think you're a great writer you must say that you are.

From the solemn gloom of the temple children run out to sit in the dust God watches them play and forgets the priest.

America is false to the past false to the present and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future.

America is an idea. And it's the solemn responsibility of each 'temporary' president to protect and nurture that noblest of all ideas - with integrity. This man Mitt Romney has shown - not through his experience but through his actions and words - that he is unqualified to carry out that responsibility.