William Butler Yeats Quotes

A sea captain when he stands upon the bridge, or looks out from his deck-house, thinks much about God and about the world. Away in the valley yonder among the corn and the poppies men may well forget all things except the warmth of the sun upon the face, and the kind shadow under the hedge; but he who journeys through storm and darkness must needs think and think.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Journey Quotes , Men Quotes

When a man grows old his joy Grows more deep day after day, His empty heart is full at length But he has need of all that strength Because of the increasing Night That opens her mystery and fright.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Fear Quotes , Heart Quotes

The things a man has heard and seen are threads of life, and if he pull them carefully from the confused distaff of memory, any who will can weave them into whatever garments of belief please them best. I too have woven my garment like another, but I shall try to keep warm in it, and shall be well content if it do not unbecome me.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Memories Quotes , Confused Quotes

Surely among a rich man's flowering lawns, Amid the rustle of his planted hills, Life overflows without ambitious pains; And rains down life until the basin spills, And mounts more dizzy high the more it rains As though to choose whatever shape it wills.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Life Quotes , Pain Quotes

Everything exists, everything is true and the earth is just a bit of dust beneath our feet.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Dust Quotes , Feet Quotes

The Irishman sustains himself during brief periods of joy by the knowledge that tragedy is just around the corner.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Joy Quotes , Tragedy Quotes

What shall I do for pretty girls Now my old bawd is dead?

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Girl Quotes , Death Quotes

The desire that is satisfied is not a great desire, nor has the shoulder used all its might that an unbreakable gate has never strained.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Desire Quotes , Might Quotes

It seems to me that love, if it is fine, is essentially a discipline.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Love Quotes , Discipline Quotes

So long as all is ordered for attack, and that alone, leaders will instinctively increase the number of enemies that they may give their followers something to do.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Numbers Quotes , Long Quotes

If a poet interprets a poem of his own he limits its suggestibility.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Poetry Quotes , Limits Quotes

On the grey rock of Cashel I suddenly saw A Sphinx with woman breast and lion paw, A Buddha, hand at rest, Hand lifted up that blest; And right between these two a girl at play That, it may be, had danced her life away.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Girl Quotes , Rocks Quotes

Fair and foul are near of kin And fair needs foul," I cried. "My friends are gone, but that's a truth Nor grave nor bed denied."

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Friendship Quotes , Truth Quotes

It takes more courage to dig deep in the dark corners of your own soul and the back alleys of your society than it does for a soldier to fight on the battlefield.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Fighting Quotes , Dark Quotes

In mockery I have set A powerful emblem up, And sing it rhyme upon rhyme In mockery of a time Half dead at the top.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Powerful Quotes , Symbolism Quotes

Dream, dream, for this is also sooth.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes

I broke my heart in two So hard I struck. What matter? for I know That out of rock, Out of a desolate source, Love leaps upon its course.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Heart Quotes , Two Quotes

And there's a score of duchesses, surpassing womankind, Or who have found a painter to make them so for pay And smooth out stain and blemish with the elegance of his mind: I knew a phoenix in my youth, so let them have their day.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Women Quotes , Phoenix Quotes

Things thought too long can be no longer thought, For beauty dies of beauty, worth of worth, And ancient lineaments are blotted out.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Long Quotes , Ancient Quotes

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.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Love Quotes , Romantic Quotes