A real book is not one that we read, but one that reads us.

Quote by W H Auden

Topics: W H Auden Quotes

Murder is unique in that it abolishes the party it injures, so that society has...

Murder is unique in that it abolishes the party it injures, so that society has...

One cannot walk through an assembly factory and not feel that one is in Hell.

One cannot walk through an assembly factory and not feel that one is in Hell.

It's frightening how easy it is to commit murder in America. Just a drink too...

It's frightening how easy it is to commit murder in America. Just a drink too...

You must go to bed with friends or whores, where money makes up the difference...

You must go to bed with friends or whores, where money makes up the difference...

I know nothing, except what everyone knows if there when Graces dances, I should dance.

I know nothing, except what everyone knows if there when Graces dances, I should dance.

We are not commanded (or forbidden) to love our mates, our children, our friends, our...

We are not commanded (or forbidden) to love our mates, our children, our friends, our...

Between friends differences in taste or opinion are irritating in direct proportion to their triviality.

Between friends differences in taste or opinion are irritating in direct proportion to their triviality.

We are here on Earth to do good to others. What the others are here...

We are here on Earth to do good to others. What the others are here...

It takes little talent to see what lies under one's nose, a good deal to...

It takes little talent to see what lies under one's nose, a good deal to...

You owe it to us all to get on with what you're good at.

You owe it to us all to get on with what you're good at.

We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are...

We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are...

No hero is mortal till he dies.

No hero is mortal till he dies.

May it not be that, just as we have to have faith in Him, God...

May it not be that, just as we have to have faith in Him, God...

To save your world you asked this man to die; would this man, could he...

To save your world you asked this man to die; would this man, could he...

Of all possible subjects, travel is the most difficult for an artist, as it is...

Of all possible subjects, travel is the most difficult for an artist, as it is...

A poet is a professional maker of verbal objects.

A poet is a professional maker of verbal objects.

When I am in the company of scientists, I feel like a shabby curate who...

When I am in the company of scientists, I feel like a shabby curate who...

A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language.

A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language.

For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?

For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?

Hemingway is terribly limited. His technique is good for short stories, for people who meet...

Hemingway is terribly limited. His technique is good for short stories, for people who meet...