It is the unknown that excites the ardor of scholars, who, in the known alone, would shrivel up with boredom.

Quote by Wallace Stevens

Topics: Wallace Stevens Quotes

A poet looks at the world the way a man looks at a woman.

A poet looks at the world the way a man looks at a woman.

Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.

Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.

In the world of words, the imagination is one of the forces of nature.

In the world of words, the imagination is one of the forces of nature.

To regard the imagination as metaphysics is to think of it as part of life,...

To regard the imagination as metaphysics is to think of it as part of life,...

The point of vision and desire are the same.

The point of vision and desire are the same.

Most people read poetry listening for echoes because the echoes are familiar to them. They...

Most people read poetry listening for echoes because the echoes are familiar to them. They...

Beauty is momentary in the mind The fitful tracing of a portal; But in the...

Beauty is momentary in the mind The fitful tracing of a portal; But in the...

If some really acute observer made as much of egotism as Freud has made of...

If some really acute observer made as much of egotism as Freud has made of...

One cannot spend one's time in being modern when there are so many more important...

One cannot spend one's time in being modern when there are so many more important...

Everything is complicated; if that were not so, life and poetry and everything else would...

Everything is complicated; if that were not so, life and poetry and everything else would...

The poet is the priest of the invisible.

The poet is the priest of the invisible.

To regard the imagination as metaphysics is to think of it as part of life,...

To regard the imagination as metaphysics is to think of it as part of life,...

Death is the mother of Beauty; hence from her, alone, shall come fulfillment to our...

Death is the mother of Beauty; hence from her, alone, shall come fulfillment to our...

One's ignorance is one's chief asset.

One's ignorance is one's chief asset.

How full of trifles everything is! It is only one's thoughts that fill a room...

How full of trifles everything is! It is only one's thoughts that fill a room...

Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.

Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.

The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself.

The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself.

If poetry should address itself to the same needs and aspirations, the same hopes and...

If poetry should address itself to the same needs and aspirations, the same hopes and...

Style is not something applied. It is something that permeates. It is of the nature...

Style is not something applied. It is something that permeates. It is of the nature...

As life grows more terrible, its literature grows more terrible.

As life grows more terrible, its literature grows more terrible.