All works of art are commissioned in the sense that no artist can create one by a simple act of will but must wait until what he believes to be a good idea for a work comes to him.

Quote by W H Auden

Topics: W H Auden Quotes

A verbal art like poetry is reflective; it stops to think. Music is immediate, it...

A verbal art like poetry is reflective; it stops to think. Music is immediate, it...

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...

Art is born of humiliation.

Art is born of humiliation.

Art is our chief means of breaking bread with the dead.

Art is our chief means of breaking bread with the dead.

The word 'Intellectual' suggests straight away - A man who's untrue to his wife

The word 'Intellectual' suggests straight away - A man who's untrue to his wife

Even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot...

Even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot...

All sins tend to be addictive, and the terminal point of addiction is damnation.

All sins tend to be addictive, and the terminal point of addiction is damnation.

No hero is mortal till he dies.

No hero is mortal till he dies.

If equal affection cannot be, let the more loving be me.

If equal affection cannot be, let the more loving be me.

In relation to a writer, most readers believe in the Double Standard: they may be...

In relation to a writer, most readers believe in the Double Standard: they may be...

A tremendous number of people in America work very hard at something that bores them....

A tremendous number of people in America work very hard at something that bores them....

We all have these places where shy humiliations gambol on sunny afternoons.

We all have these places where shy humiliations gambol on sunny afternoons.

A professor is someone who talks in someone else's sleep.

A professor is someone who talks in someone else's sleep.

Murder is commoner among cooks than among members of any other profession.

Murder is commoner among cooks than among members of any other profession.

Now is the age of anxiety.

Now is the age of anxiety.

Some books are undeservedly forgotten; none are undeservedly remembered.

Some books are undeservedly forgotten; none are undeservedly remembered.

Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among...

Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among...

God bless the USA, so large, so friendly, and so rich.

God bless the USA, so large, so friendly, and so rich.

For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?

For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?

Fame often makes a writer vain, but seldom makes him proud.

Fame often makes a writer vain, but seldom makes him proud.