Winter, William Shakespeare

Blow, blow, thou winter wind. Thou art not so unkind, As man's ingratitude.

- William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Japan, Qin Gang (秦剛)

The essence of Japanese leaders' visits to the Yasukuni shrine is to beautify Japan's history of militaristic aggression and colonial rule. It is an attempt to overturn international society's just ruling on Japan's militarism and to challenge the results of World War II and the post-war international order.

- Qin Gang (秦剛), Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman, immediately after Abe's visit to the shrine (
Dec 26, 2013)

Winter, Anne Bradstreet

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

- Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)