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W. H. Auden quotes

English Poet February 21, 1907 – September 29, 1973

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Quotes

W. H. Auden quote: "Thank God for books as an alternative to conversation."
Thank God for books as an alternative to conversation. W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden quote: "The sky is darkening like a stain. Something is going to fall..."
The sky is darkening like a stain. Something is going to fall like rain. And it won't be flowers W. H. Auden
May it not be that, just as we have to have faith in Him, God has to have faith in us and, considering the history of the human race so far, may it not be that "faith" is even more difficult for Him than it is for us? W. H. Auden
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one; Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood. For nothing now can ever come to any good. W. H. Auden
The element of craftsmanship in poetry is obscured by the fact that all men are taught to speak and most to read and write, while very few men are taught to draw or paint or write music. W. H. Auden
Attacking bad books is not only a waste of time but also bad for the character. If I find a book really bad, the only interest I can derive from writing about it has to come from myself, from such display of intelligence, wit and malice as I can contrive. One cannot review a bad book without showing off. W. H. Auden
A tremendous number of people in America work very hard at something that bores them. Even a rich man thinks he has to go down to the office everyday. Not because he likes it but because he can't think of anything else to do. W. H. Auden
So long as we think of it objectively, time is Fate or Chance, the factor in our lives for which we are not responsible, and about which we can do nothing; but when we begin to think of it subjectively, we feel responsible for our time, and the notion of punctuality arises. W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden quote: "Human "nature" is a nature continually in quest of itself,..."
Human "nature" is a nature continually in quest of itself, obliged at every moment to transcend what it was a moment before. W. H. Auden
For a desert island, one would choose a good dictionary rather than the greatest literary masterpiece imaginable, for, in relation to its readers, a dictionary is absolutely passive and may legitimately be read in an infinite number of ways. W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden quote: "Whatever you do, good or bad, people will always have..."
Whatever you do, good or bad, people will always have something negative to say W. H. Auden
Over the tea-cups and in the square the tongue has its desire; Still waters run deep, my dear, there's never smoke without fire. W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden quote: "Without art, we should have no notion of the sacred; without..."
Without art, we should have no notion of the sacred; without science, we should always worship false gods. W. H. Auden
Now the leaves are falling fast, Nurse’s flowers will not last, Nurses to their graves are gone, But the prams go rolling on. W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden quote: "It takes little talent to see what lies under one's nose, a..."
It takes little talent to see what lies under one's nose, a good deal to know in what direction to point that organ. W. H. Auden

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