I love the line of Flaubert about observing things very intensely. I think our duty as writers begins not with our own feelings, but with the powers of observing.

Quote by Mary Oliver

Topics: Mary Oliver Quotes

I worked probably 25 years by myself, just writing and working, not trying to publish...

I worked probably 25 years by myself, just writing and working, not trying to publish...

I have a notebook with me all the time, and I begin scribbling a few...

I have a notebook with me all the time, and I begin scribbling a few...

Almost anything is too much. I am trying in my poems to have the reader...

Almost anything is too much. I am trying in my poems to have the reader...

As a child, what captivated me was reading the poems myself and realizing that there...

As a child, what captivated me was reading the poems myself and realizing that there...

I simply do not distinguish between work and play.

I simply do not distinguish between work and play.

I have a notion that if you are going to be spiritually curious, you better...

I have a notion that if you are going to be spiritually curious, you better...

I was very careful never to take an interesting job. If you have an interesting...

I was very careful never to take an interesting job. If you have an interesting...

To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work

To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work

This is the first, wildest, and wisest thing I know, that the soul exists, and...

This is the first, wildest, and wisest thing I know, that the soul exists, and...

A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion.

A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion.

If someone truly loves you, then they shouldn't make you feel like you have to...

If someone truly loves you, then they shouldn't make you feel like you have to...

Too many girls want attention. Not enough want respect.

Too many girls want attention. Not enough want respect.

Never forget those who have helped you along the way. The ones who made the...

Never forget those who have helped you along the way. The ones who made the...

So when you are listening to somebody, completely, attentively, then you are listening not only...

So when you are listening to somebody, completely, attentively, then you are listening not only...

Fellas: The most precious gift you can give a girl is the gift of your...

Fellas: The most precious gift you can give a girl is the gift of your...

Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are.

Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are.

Every girl wants to mean something to somebody. All it takes is a little text...

Every girl wants to mean something to somebody. All it takes is a little text...

The capacity to give one's attention to a sufferer is a very rare and difficult...

The capacity to give one's attention to a sufferer is a very rare and difficult...

The only reason people are talking behind your back is because you're already ahead of...

The only reason people are talking behind your back is because you're already ahead of...

I am glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; had I abided...

I am glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; had I abided...