If a poet interprets a poem of his own he limits its suggestibility.
William Butler YeatsRead
For such, _x000D_ Being made beautiful overmuch, _x000D_ Consider beauty a sufficient end, _x000D_ Lose natural kindness and maybe _x000D_ The heart-revealing intimacy _x000D_ That chooses right, and never find a friend.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Excessive focus on beauty can lead to a loss of genuine kindness and meaningful connections.
In this quote, Yeats warns that prioritizing superficial beauty can distract one from the deeper values of kindness and genuine human connection. Overemphasis on appearance may create barriers to true intimacy and friendship, ultimately leading to loneliness and unfulfilled relationships.
Themes
BeautyKindnessFriendshipIntimacyValues
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of inner beauty during a community event.
More from William Butler Yeats
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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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