William Butler Yeats Quotes

I thought it out this very day, Noon upon the clock, A man may put pretence away Who leans upon a stick, May sing, and sing until he drop, Whether to maid or hag.

5 years ago

Message Copied

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

I am still of opinion that only two topics can be of the least interest to a serious and studious mood - sex and the dead.

5 years ago

Message Copied

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

That toil of growing up; The ignominy of boyhood; the distress Of boyhood changing into man; The unfinished man and his pain.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Growing Up Quotes , Pain Quotes

Nor bird nor beast Could make me wish for anything this day, Being old, but that the old alone might die, And that would be against God's Providence.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Bird Quotes , Wish Quotes

In life courtesy and self-possession, and in the arts style, are the sensible impressions of the free mind, for both arise out of a deliberate shaping of all things and from never being swept away, whatever the emotion into confusion or dullness.

5 years ago

Message Copied

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

Now that my ladder's gone, I must lie down where all my ladders start, In the foul rag-and-bone shop of the heart.

5 years ago

Message Copied

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

The labor of the alchemists, who were called artist in their day, is a befitting comparison for a deliberate change of style.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Artist Quotes , Style Quotes

I sat, a solitary man, In a crowded London shop, An open book and empty cup On the marble table-top. While on the shop and street I gazed My body of a sudden blazed; And twenty minutes more or less It seemed, so great my happiness, That I was blessed and could bless.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Book Quotes , Blessed Quotes

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.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Beautiful Quotes , Dream Quotes

Too long a sacrifice can make a stone of the heart. O when may it suffice?

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Broken Heart Quotes , Sacrifice Quotes

To sit beside the board and drink good wine And watch the turf smoke coiling from the fire And feel content and wisdom in your heart, This is the best of life; when we are young We long to tread a way none trod before, But find the excellent old way through love And through the care of children to the hour Forbidding Fate and Time and Change goodbye.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Goodbye Quotes , Children Quotes

only an aching heart Conceives a changeless work of art.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Art Quotes , Longing Quotes

Whence had they come The hand and lash that beat down frigid Rome? What sacred drama through her body heaved When world-transforming Charlemagne was conceived?

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Drama Quotes , Rome Quotes

Hearts with one purpose alone/Through summer and winter seem/Enchanted to a stone/To trouble the living stream.

5 years ago

Message Copied

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

I have read somewhere that in the Emperor's palace at Byzantium was a tree made of gold and silver, and artificial birds that sang.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Byzantium Quotes , Bird Quotes

Homer is my example and his unchristened heart.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Heart Quotes

I think you can leave the arts, superior or inferior, to the conscience of mankind.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Art Quotes , Thinking Quotes

I long for truth, and yet I cannot stay from that My better self disowns, For a man's attention Brings such satisfaction To the craving in my bones.

5 years ago

Message Copied

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

Brown Penny I WHISPERED, 'I am too young,' And then, 'I am old enough'; Wherefore I threw a penny To find out if I might love. 'Go and love, go and love, young man, If the lady be young and fair.' Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny, I am looped in the loops of her hair. O love is the crooked thing, There is nobody wise enough To find out all that is in it, For he would be thinking of love Till the stars had run away And the shadows eaten the moon. Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny, One cannot begin it too soon.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Wise Quotes , Running Quotes

I--though heart might find relief Did I become a Christian man and choose for my belief What seems most welcome in the tomb--play a predestined part. Homer is my example and his unchristened heart.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : William Butler Yeats Quotes , Faith Quotes , Christian Quotes