No good poem, however confessional it may be, is just a self-expression. Who on earth would claim that the pearl expresses the oyster?

Quote by C Day Lewis

Topics: C Day Lewis Quotes

We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.

We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.

First, I do not sit down at my desk to put into verse something that...

First, I do not sit down at my desk to put into verse something that...

Summer has filled her veins with light and her heart is washed with noon.

Summer has filled her veins with light and her heart is washed with noon.

Now the peak of summer's past, the sky is overcast And the love we swore...

Now the peak of summer's past, the sky is overcast And the love we swore...

The people who live in a golden age usually go around complaining how yellow everything...

The people who live in a golden age usually go around complaining how yellow everything...

When I came to Los Angeles, it was the first time that I ever felt...

When I came to Los Angeles, it was the first time that I ever felt...

Middle age is when you're faced with two temptations and you choose the one that...

Middle age is when you're faced with two temptations and you choose the one that...

Age to women is like Kryptonite to Superman.

Age to women is like Kryptonite to Superman.

Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety. Other women cloy the appetites...

Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety. Other women cloy the appetites...

Just at the age 'twixt boy and youth, When thought is speech, and speech is...

Just at the age 'twixt boy and youth, When thought is speech, and speech is...

And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest...

And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest...

A man who is a politician at forty is a statesman at three score and...

A man who is a politician at forty is a statesman at three score and...

In an age when the fashion is to be in love with yourself, confessing to...

In an age when the fashion is to be in love with yourself, confessing to...

I think my fans will follow me into our combined old age. Real musicians and...

I think my fans will follow me into our combined old age. Real musicians and...

Age is only a number, a cipher for the records. A man can't retire his...

Age is only a number, a cipher for the records. A man can't retire his...

As you know, no one over thirty years of age is afraid of tittle-tattle. I...

As you know, no one over thirty years of age is afraid of tittle-tattle. I...

The sign of a Philistine age is the cry of immorality against art.

The sign of a Philistine age is the cry of immorality against art.

Youth has no age.

Youth has no age.

Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

Old age is the most unexpected of all the things that can happen to a...

Old age is the most unexpected of all the things that can happen to a...

Rob the poor, slaughter the weak. Distort the law, perfect deceit.

Rob the poor, slaughter the weak. Distort the law, perfect deceit.

Professional golf is the only sport where, if you win 20% of the time, youre...

Professional golf is the only sport where, if you win 20% of the time, youre...