A very intimate sense of the expressiveness of outward things, which ponders, listens, penetrates, where the earlier, less developed consciousness passed lightly by, is an important element in the general temper of our modern poetry.
Walter Pater

Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war.
Thucydides

Best to live lightly, unthinkingly.
Sophocles

Closest to the truth are those who deal lightly with it because they know it is inexhaustible.
Golo Mann

Confederation is a compact, made originally by four provinces but adhered to by all the nine provinces who have entered it, and I submit to the judgment of this house and to the best consideration of its members, that this compact should not be lightly altered.
Wilfrid Laurier

Everyone wants to beat us. So you can never take a single game lightly.
Jim Otto

For an Italian peasant a telegram from anywhere is a wondrous thing; and a cable from the terrestrial paradise of America is not lightly to be disregarded.
Howard K. Smith

He disliked emotion, not because he felt lightly, but because he felt deeply.
John Buchan

He puts his right hand lightly on the cup, I put my left, leaving the right free to transcribe, and away we go. We get, oh, 500 to 600 words an hour. Better than gasoline.
James Merrill

He who has great power should use it lightly.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

I don't always prepare such rich meals. Sometimes I'll just serve a simple quiche, salad and dessert for dinner. During the week I try to eat lightly.
Paul Lynde

I don't think you can lightly paint a picture. It's an activity I take very seriously.
Howard Hodgkin

I find it difficult to believe that words have no meaning in themselves, hard as I try. Habits of a lifetime are not lightly thrown aside.
Stuart Chase

I have no desire to be a cat, which walks so lightly that it never creates a disturbance.
Andrew Taylor Still

I take my fun very seriously, whether it's playing the drums or acting in comedy bits. The need to be disciplined about it, and not take it lightly, and not be too casual, is something I take deeply to heart.
Max Weinberg

If I despised myself, it would be no compensation if everyone saluted me, and if I respect myself, it does not trouble me if others hold me lightly.
Max Nordau

If you see most people neglect the Bible, and many that can read never look into it, let it not harden you and make you think lightly of it, and that it is a book of no worth.
Jupiter Hammon

Is anyone serious about the politics of happiness? David Cameron dipped a toe in the water, using the word lightly, but denying the hard policies it implies. Labour shies away from it, but should take up the challenge.
Polly Toynbee

It's an incredible privilege for an actor to look into the camera. It's like looking right into the heart of the film, and you can't take that lightly.
Emily Watson

It's become more and more of a priority for me to tread as lightly as possible in the world.
Shalom Harlow