The genuine artist is never rue to life. He sees what is real, but not as we are normally aware of it. We do not go storming through life like actors in a play. Art is never real life.

Quote by Wallace Stevens

Topics: Wallace Stevens Quotes

It can never be satisfied, the mind, never.

It can never be satisfied, the mind, never.

Reality is not what it is. It consists of the many realities which it can...

Reality is not what it is. It consists of the many realities which it can...

Most people read poetry listening for echoes because the echoes are familiar to them. They...

Most people read poetry listening for echoes because the echoes are familiar to them. They...

Everything is complicated; if that were not so, life and poetry and everything else would...

Everything is complicated; if that were not so, life and poetry and everything else would...

There is truth in the reply of a great lawyer when asked how the lawyers...

There is truth in the reply of a great lawyer when asked how the lawyers...

One cannot spend one's time in being modern when there are so many more important...

One cannot spend one's time in being modern when there are so many more important...

Beauty is momentary in the mind The fitful tracing of a portal; But in the...

Beauty is momentary in the mind The fitful tracing of a portal; But in the...

The poet is the priest of the invisible.

The poet is the priest of the invisible.

Style is not something applied. It is something that permeates. It is of the nature...

Style is not something applied. It is something that permeates. It is of the nature...

The only emperor is the emperor of ice cream.

The only emperor is the emperor of ice cream.

In the world of words, the imagination is one of the forces of nature.

In the world of words, the imagination is one of the forces of nature.

The way through the world is more difficult to find than the way beyond it.

The way through the world is more difficult to find than the way beyond it.

The summer night is like a perfection of thought.

The summer night is like a perfection of thought.

How full of trifles everything is! It is only one's thoughts that fill a room...

How full of trifles everything is! It is only one's thoughts that fill a room...

It is the unknown that excites the ardor of scholars, who, in the known alone,...

It is the unknown that excites the ardor of scholars, who, in the known alone,...

The philosopher proves that the philosopher exists. The poet merely enjoys existence.

The philosopher proves that the philosopher exists. The poet merely enjoys existence.

Intolerance respecting other people's religion is toleration itself in comparison with intolerance respecting other people's...

Intolerance respecting other people's religion is toleration itself in comparison with intolerance respecting other people's...

To regard the imagination as metaphysics is to think of it as part of life,...

To regard the imagination as metaphysics is to think of it as part of life,...

If poetry should address itself to the same needs and aspirations, the same hopes and...

If poetry should address itself to the same needs and aspirations, the same hopes and...

The imagination is man's power over nature.

The imagination is man's power over nature.