Poetry should help, not only to refine the language of the time, but to prevent it from changing too rapidly.

Quote by T S Eliot

Topics: T S Eliot Quotes

Business today consists in persuading crowds.

Business today consists in persuading crowds.

Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who...

Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who...

You are the music while the music lasts.

You are the music while the music lasts.

Art never improves, but... the material of art is never quite the same.

Art never improves, but... the material of art is never quite the same.

It is obvious that we can no more explain a passion to a person who...

It is obvious that we can no more explain a passion to a person who...

So the lover must struggle for words.

So the lover must struggle for words.

Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.

Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.

April is the cruellest month.

April is the cruellest month.

Knowledge is invariably a matter of degree: you cannot put your finger upon even the...

Knowledge is invariably a matter of degree: you cannot put your finger upon even the...

Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.

Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.

If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?

If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?

All significant truths are private truths. As they become public they cease to become truths;...

All significant truths are private truths. As they become public they cease to become truths;...

Love is most nearly itself when here and now cease to matter.

Love is most nearly itself when here and now cease to matter.

This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper

This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper

Any poet, if he is to survive beyond his 25th year, must alter; he must...

Any poet, if he is to survive beyond his 25th year, must alter; he must...

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one...

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one...

I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.

I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.

Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is...

Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is...

Let's not be narrow, nasty, and negative.

Let's not be narrow, nasty, and negative.

Poetry may make us from time to time a little more aware of the deeper,...

Poetry may make us from time to time a little more aware of the deeper,...