In relation to a writer, most readers believe in the Double Standard: they may be unfaithful to him as often as they like, but he must never, never be unfaithful to them.

Quote by W H Auden

Topics: Reading Quotes, Writers Quotes

Geniuses are the luckiest of mortals because what they must do is the same as...

Geniuses are the luckiest of mortals because what they must do is the same as...

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.

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...

The countenances of children, like those of animals, are masks, not faces, for they have...

The countenances of children, like those of animals, are masks, not faces, for they have...

When the Sex War ended with the slaughter of the Grandmothers, / They found a...

When the Sex War ended with the slaughter of the Grandmothers, / They found a...

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

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

All works of art are commissioned in the sense that no artist can create one...

All works of art are commissioned in the sense that no artist can create one...

We must love one another or die.

We must love one another or die.

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

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

Now is the age of anxiety.

Now is the age of anxiety.

A poet can write about a man slaying a dragon, but not about a man...

A poet can write about a man slaying a dragon, but not about a man...

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...

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...

In a world of prayer, we are all equal in the sense that each of...

In a world of prayer, we are all equal in the sense that each of...

A poet is a professional maker of verbal objects.

A poet is a professional maker of verbal objects.

Perhaps there is only one cardinal sin: impatience. Because of impatience we were driven out...

Perhaps there is only one cardinal sin: impatience. Because of impatience we were driven out...

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...

A false enchantment can all too easily last a lifetime.

A false enchantment can all too easily last a lifetime.

Gravitation can not be held responsible for people falling in love

Gravitation can not be held responsible for people falling in love

Love is just a feeling of togetherness and openness in your heart.

Love is just a feeling of togetherness and openness in your heart.

We find love hiding here in the shadows in the darkness maybe, its up to...

We find love hiding here in the shadows in the darkness maybe, its up to...