If a poet interprets a poem of his own he limits its suggestibility.
William Butler YeatsRead
I believe when I am in the mood that all nature is full of people whom we cannot see, and that some of these are ugly or grotesque, and some wicked or foolish, but very many beautiful beyond any one we have ever seen, and that these are not far away... and the simple of all times and the wise men of ancient times have seen them and even spoken to them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a belief in the unseen influences of nature, highlighting both beauty and complexity in the invisible world around us.
In this quote, William Butler Yeats expresses a profound connection to the natural world, suggesting that there are invisible beings, both beautiful and grotesque, that coexist with us. He reflects on the wisdom of ancient times, indicating that great minds have recognized and communicated with these unseen entities, emphasizing a mystical understanding of nature that transcends the physical realm.
Themes
NatureBeautyWisdomUnseenPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a philosophical discussion about the unseen aspects of our environment.
More from William Butler Yeats
All quotes →It was my first meeting with a philosophy that confirmed my vague speculations and seemed at once logical and boundless.
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But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
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How far away the stars seem, and how far is our first kiss, and ah, how old my heart.
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For he would be thinking of love Till the stars had run away And the shadows eaten the moon.
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Love is created and preserved by intellectual analysis, for we love only that which is unique, and it belongs to contemplation, not to action, for we would not change that which we love.
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