The first and simplest emotion which we discover in the human mind is curiosity. [ Burke ]

Say what you have to say in the simplest sincerity, in the fewest and shortest words. [ Gerald Massey, The Art of Authorship, 1891 ]

It is a matter of the simplest demonstration, that no man can be really appreciated but by his equal or superior. [ Ruskin ]

Like a great poet, Nature produces the greatest results with the simplest means. There are simply a sun, flowers, water, and love. [ Heine ]

The passions are the only orators that always persuade; they are, as it were, a natural art, the rules of which are infallible; and the simplest man with passion is more persuasive than the most eloquent without it. [ La Rochefoucauld ]

The wisest of us must, for by far the most part, judge like the simplest; estimate importance by mere magnitude, and expect that which strongly affects our own generation, will strongly affect those that are to follow. [ Carlyle ]

Phaeton was his father's heir; born to attain the highest fortune without earning it; he had built no sun-chariot (could not build the simplest wheel-barrow), but could and would insist on driving one; and so broke his own stiff neck, sent gig and horses spinning through infinite space, and set the universe on fire. [ Carlyle ]

There are chords in the human heart - strange varying strings - which are only struck by accident; which will remain mute and senseless to appeals the most passionate and earnest, and respond at last to the slightest casual touch. In the most insensible or childish minds there is some train of reflection which art can seldom lead or skill assist, but which will reveal itself, as great truths have done, by chance, and when the discoverer has the plainest and simplest end in view. [ Dickens ]