451 Quotes by W.H. Auden

Murder is unique in that it abolishes the party it injures, so that society has to take the place of the victim and on his behalf demand atonement or grant forgiveness; it is the one crime in which society has a direct interest.

Those who hate to go to bed fear death; those who hate to get up fear life.

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Every high C accurately struck demolishes the theory that we are the irresponsible puppets of fate or chance.

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

Civilizations should be measured by the degree of diversity attained and the degree of unity retained.

The world needs a wash and a week’s rest.

But once in a while the odd thing happens Once in a while the dream comes true And the whole pattern of life is altered Once in a while, the moon turns blue.

We cannot be deaf to the question: ‘Do I love this world so well that I have to know how it ends?