Quotes from William Butler Yeats

How many loved your moments of glad grace, And loved your beauty with love false or true; But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, And loved the sorrows of your changing face.

I'm looking for the face I had, before the world was made...

Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.

Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.

There are no strangers, only friends you have not met yet.

All empty souls tend toward extreme opinions.

I bring you with reverent hands The books of my numberless dreams.

The worst thing about some men is that when they are not drunk they are sober.

Where there is nothing, there is God.

You know what the Englishman's idea of compromise is? He says, Some people say there is a God. Some people say there is no God. The truth probably lies somewhere between these two statements.

Florence Farr once said to me, If we could say to ourselves, with sincerity, 'this passing moment is as good as any I shall ever know,' we could die upon the instant and be united with God.

Thought is a garment and the soul's a bride That cannot in that trash and tinsel hide: Hatred of God may bring the soul to God.

God spreads the heavens above us like great wings, And gives a little round of deeds and days.

He Who is wrapped in purple robes, With planets in His care, Had pity on the least of things Asleep upon a chair.

Nor bird nor beast Could make me wish for anything this day, Being old, but that the old alone might die, And that would be against God's Providence.

I bear a burden that might well try Men that do all by rule, And what can I That am a wandering-witted fool But pray to God that He ease My great responsibilities?

If Michael, leader of God's host When Heaven and Hell are met, Looked down on you from Heaven's door-post He would his deeds forget.

Locke sank into a swoon; The Garden died; God took the spinning-jenny Out of his side.

The house ghost is usually a harmless and well-meaning creature. It is put up with as long as possible. It brings good luck to those who live with it.

A mermaid found a swimming lad, Picked him up for her own, Pressed her body to his body, Laughed; and plunging down Forgot in cruel happiness That even lovers drown.

We are happy when for everything inside us there is a corresponding something outside us.

Because this age and the next age Engender in the ditch, No man can know a happy man From any passing wretch, If Folly link with Elegance No man knows which is which.

A statesman is an easy man, he tells his lies by rote. A journalist invents his lies, and rams them down your throat. So stay at home and drink your beer and let the neighbors vote.

By logic and reason we die hourly; by imagination we live.