Of course the humorists, the ordinary men's philosophers, did not dig deeply, yet their superficial examinations always touched some sensitive chords.

Remarriages strike a sensitive chord in most families.

But, like all good writers, he could also touch a sensitive chord.

Yet the negotiations are touching sensitive political chords in all countries.

Senator Moynihan's bill has struck a sensitive chord in cities where officials were preparing over the last month to sell bonds for stadium projects.

"Three times our national anthem describes Chile as a country that provides asylum from oppression, and that touches a very sensitive chord here," a Chilean official said.

Mr. Halter's case, with its faint echoes of past treatment of Jews in France, has therefore struck a particularly sensitive chord.

To get the best out of them, you must have the right approach, you have to play on their best, most sensitive chords.

But last December, Sheriff McDougall's outspokenness struck an even more sensitive chord.

"Cheese is a sensitive chord in my heart," he said.