And they write innumerable books; being too vain and distracted for silence: seeking every one after his own elevation, and dodging his emptiness.

Quote by T S Eliot

Topics: T S Eliot Quotes

Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is...

Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is...

People to whom nothing has ever happened cannot understand the unimportance of events.

People to whom nothing has ever happened cannot understand the unimportance of events.

Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.

Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.

Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.

Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.

It's strange that words are so inadequate. Yet, like the asthmatic struggling for breath, so...

It's strange that words are so inadequate. Yet, like the asthmatic struggling for breath, so...

O Lord, deliver me from the man of excellent intention and impure heart: for the...

O Lord, deliver me from the man of excellent intention and impure heart: for the...

You are the music while the music lasts.

You are the music while the music lasts.

Every experience is a paradox in that it means to be absolute, and yet is...

Every experience is a paradox in that it means to be absolute, and yet is...

I don't believe one grows older. I think that what happens early on in life...

I don't believe one grows older. I think that what happens early on in life...

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one...

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one...

Home is where one starts from.

Home is where one starts from.

Our difficulties of the moment must always be dealt with somehow, but our permanent difficulties...

Our difficulties of the moment must always be dealt with somehow, but our permanent difficulties...

Art never improves, but... the material of art is never quite the same.

Art never improves, but... the material of art is never quite the same.

So the lover must struggle for words.

So the lover must struggle for words.

Love is most nearly itself when here and now cease to matter.

Love is most nearly itself when here and now cease to matter.

Poetry should help, not only to refine the language of the time, but to prevent...

Poetry should help, not only to refine the language of the time, but to prevent...

All significant truths are private truths. As they become public they cease to become truths;...

All significant truths are private truths. As they become public they cease to become truths;...

Any poet, if he is to survive beyond his 25th year, must alter; he must...

Any poet, if he is to survive beyond his 25th year, must alter; he must...

If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?

If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?