Men will pay large sums to whores for telling them they are not bores.

Quote by W H Auden

Topics: W. H. Auden Quotes

A false enchantment can all too easily last a lifetime.

A false enchantment can all too easily last a lifetime.

No hero is mortal till he dies.

No hero is mortal till he dies.

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...

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 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....

Let us honor if we can the vertical man, though we value none but the...

Let us honor if we can the vertical man, though we value none but the...

When I find myself in the company of scientists, I feel like a shabby curate...

When I find myself in the company of scientists, I feel like a shabby curate...

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

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

For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?

For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?

If equal affection cannot be, let the more loving be me.

If equal affection cannot be, let the more loving be me.

Before people complain of the obscurity of modern poetry, they should first examine their consciences...

Before people complain of the obscurity of modern poetry, they should first examine their consciences...

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.

It is a sad fact about our culture that a poet can earn much more...

It is a sad fact about our culture that a poet can earn much more...

Some writers confuse authenticity, which they ought always to aim at, with originality, which they...

Some writers confuse authenticity, which they ought always to aim at, with originality, which they...

The class distinctions proper to a democratic society are not those of rank or money,...

The class distinctions proper to a democratic society are not those of rank or money,...

Art is born of humiliation.

Art is born of humiliation.

My face looks like a wedding-cake left out in the rain.

My face looks like a wedding-cake left out in the rain.

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...

Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul.

Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul.

Each has his own happiness in his hands, as the artist handles the rude clay...

Each has his own happiness in his hands, as the artist handles the rude clay...

Music is a friend of labor for it lightens the task by refreshing the nerves...

Music is a friend of labor for it lightens the task by refreshing the nerves...

With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion.

With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion.