He does not regard the quantity of faith, but the quality. He does not measure its degree, but its truth. He will not break any bruised reed, nor quench any smoking flax. He will never let it be said that any perished at the foot of the cross. - J.C. Ryle
Man is but a reed, the weakest in nature, but he is a thinking reed. - Blaise Pascal
Man is but a reed, the most feeble thing in nature; but he is a thinking reed. - Blaise Pascal
A craftsman pulled a reed from the reedbed,cut holes in it, and called it a human being.Since then, it's been wailing a tender agonyof parting, never mentioning the skillthat gave it life as a flute - Jalaluddin Rumi
The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over. - Aesop
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. - Bible