The genuine artist is never rue to life. He sees what is real, but not as we are normally aware of it. We do not go storming through life like actors in a play. Art is never real life.

Quote by Wallace Stevens

Topics: Wallace Stevens Quotes

Thought is an infection. In the case of certain thoughts, it becomes an epidemic.

Thought is an infection. In the case of certain thoughts, it becomes an epidemic.

The summer night is like a perfection of thought.

The summer night is like a perfection of thought.

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...

Money is a kind of poetry.

Money is a kind of poetry.

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...

Perhaps it is of more value to infuriate philosophers than to go along with them.

Perhaps it is of more value to infuriate philosophers than to go along with them.

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...

The day of the sun is like the day of a king. It is a...

The day of the sun is like the day of a king. It is a...

It can never be satisfied, the mind, never.

It can never be satisfied, the mind, never.

Reality is not what it is. It consists of the many realities which it can...

Reality is not what it is. It consists of the many realities which it can...

One's ignorance is one's chief asset.

One's ignorance is one's chief asset.

Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.

Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.

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...

What our eyes behold may well be the text of life but one's meditations on...

What our eyes behold may well be the text of life but one's meditations on...

The philosopher proves that the philosopher exists. The poet merely enjoys existence.

The philosopher proves that the philosopher exists. The poet merely enjoys existence.

There is truth in the reply of a great lawyer when asked how the lawyers...

There is truth in the reply of a great lawyer when asked how the lawyers...

The poet is the priest of the invisible.

The poet is the priest of the invisible.

The fire burns as the novel taught it how.

The fire burns as the novel taught it how.

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...

After the final no there comes a yes and on that yes the future of...

After the final no there comes a yes and on that yes the future of...