In times of joy, all of us wished we possessed a tail we could wag.

Quote by W H Auden

Topics: W H Auden Quotes

Art is born of humiliation.

Art is born of humiliation.

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...

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

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

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.

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...

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....

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...

The image of myself which I try to create in my own mind in order...

The image of myself which I try to create in my own mind in order...

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...

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...

Drama is based on the Mistake. I think someone is my friend when he really...

Drama is based on the Mistake. I think someone is my friend when he really...

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...

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...

A false enchantment can all too easily last a lifetime.

A false enchantment can all too easily last a lifetime.

Health is the state about which medicine has nothing to say.

Health is the state about which medicine has nothing to say.

Music can be made anywhere, is invisible and does not smell.

Music can be made anywhere, is invisible and does not smell.

Sob, heavy world Sob as you spin, Mantled in mist Remote from the happy.

Sob, heavy world Sob as you spin, Mantled in mist Remote from the happy.

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...

Let mortals beware of words For with words we lie Can speak peace When we...

Let mortals beware of words For with words we lie Can speak peace When we...

A poet is a professional maker of verbal objects.

A poet is a professional maker of verbal objects.