457 Quotes by W. H. Auden

Lovers have lived so long with giants and elves, they won't believe again in their own size.

As a poet, there is only one political duty, and that is to defend one's language from corruption.

Great art is clear thinking about mixed feelings.

Without art, we should have no notion of the sacred; without science, we should always worship false gods.

The Three Wiseman: The weather has been awful, The countryside is dreary, Marsh, jungle, rock; and echoes mock, Calling our hope unlawful; But a silly song can help along Yours ever and sincerely: At least we know for certain that we are three old sinners, that this journey is much too long, that we want our dinners, and miss our wives, our books, our dogs, but have only the vaguest idea why we are what we are. To discover how to be human now Is the reason we follow this star.

The slogan of Hell: Eat or be eaten. The slogan of Heaven: Eat and be eaten.

The only reason the Protestants and Catholics have given up the idea of universal domination is because they've realised they can't get away with it.

Weep for the lives your wishes never led.

Adjectives are the potbelly of poetry.