William Butler Yeats, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, has left an indelible mark on literature with his profound and often mystical poetry. His words resonate with timeless wisdom, exploring themes of love, nature, politics, and the human condition. In this article, we delve into the essence of W.B. Yeats through a collection of 28 of his most famous quotes, each offering a glimpse into the mind of this literary giant.
Invaluable William Butler Yeats Quotes
1. Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.
2. But was there ever dog that praised his fleas?
3. I wonder anybody does anything at Oxford but dream and remember, the place is so beautiful. One almost expects the people to sing instead of speaking. It is all like an opera.
4. Nor dread nor hope attend a dying animal; a man awaits his end dreading and hoping all.
5. How far away the stars seem, and how far is our first kiss, and ah, how old my heart.
6. An aged man is but a paltry thing, a tattered coat upon a stick, unless soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing for every tatter in its mortal dress.
7. Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy.
8. Too long a sacrifice can make a stone of the heart. O when may it suffice?
9. The innocent and the beautiful have no enemy but time.
10. In dreams begins responsibility.
11. Once you attempt legislation upon religious grounds, you open the way for every kind of intolerance and religious persecution.
See Also: 35 ZIG ZIGLAR QUOTES ON SUCCESS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
12. The worst thing about some men is that when they are not drunk they are sober.
13. Those that I fight I do not hate, those that I guard I do not love.
14. When you are old and gray and full of sleep, and nodding by the fire, take down this book and slowly read, and dream of the soft look your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep.
15. The creations of a great writer are little more than the moods and passions of his own heart, given surnames and Christian names, and sent to walk the earth.
16. Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.
17. Take, if you must, this little bag of dreams, Unloose the cord, and they will wrap you round.
18. Wine comes in at the mouth And love comes in at the eye; That’s all we shall know for truth Before we grow old and die.
19. A line will take us hours maybe; Yet if it does not seem a moment’s thought, our stitching and unstitching has been naught.
20. Man can embody truth but he cannot know it.
21. “The trees are in their autumn beauty, The woodland paths are dry, Under the October twilight the water Mirrors a still sky.”
22. “I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made.”
23. “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”
24. “Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer.”
25. “All changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born.”
26. “The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.”
27. “We are no petty people.”
28. “Was it for this the wild geese spread The grey wing upon every tide; For this that all that blood was shed?”
Conclusion
W.B. Yeats’ quotes provide a window into the soul of a poet deeply engaged with the complexities of love, art, politics, and spirituality. His words continue to inspire and provoke thought, offering timeless wisdom that remains relevant across generations. As we reflect on these quotes, we gain not only a deeper understanding of Yeats himself but also a richer appreciation of the human experience he so eloquently explored. Through his poetry and prose, Yeats invites us to tread softly through life, always mindful of the dreams and mysteries that shape our existence.