To regard the imagination as metaphysics is to think of it as part of life, and to think of it as part of life is to realize the extent of artifice. We live in the mind.

Quote by Wallace Stevens

Topics: Wallace Stevens Quotes

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...

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...

The reason can give nothing at all Like the response to desire.

The reason can give nothing at all Like the response to desire.

The fire burns as the novel taught it how.

The fire burns as the novel taught it how.

It can never be satisfied, the mind, never.

It can never be satisfied, the mind, never.

The only emperor is the emperor of ice cream.

The only emperor is the emperor of ice cream.

Accuracy of observation is the equivalent of accuracy of thinking.

Accuracy of observation is the equivalent of accuracy of thinking.

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.

One's ignorance is one's chief asset.

One's ignorance is one's chief asset.

The genuine artist is never rue to life. He sees what is real, but not...

The genuine artist is never rue to life. He sees what is real, but not...

A poem need not have a meaning and like most things in nature often does...

A poem need not have a meaning and like most things in nature often does...

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 the truth depends on a walk around the lake.

Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.

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.

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.

New York is a field of tireless and antagonistic interests undoubtedly fascinating but horribly unreal....

New York is a field of tireless and antagonistic interests undoubtedly fascinating but horribly unreal....

Poor, dear, silly Spring, preparing her annual surprise!

Poor, dear, silly Spring, preparing her annual surprise!

Intolerance respecting other people's religion is toleration itself in comparison with intolerance respecting other people's...

Intolerance respecting other people's religion is toleration itself in comparison with intolerance respecting other people's...

The poet is the priest of the invisible.

The poet is the priest of the invisible.