And as we stray further from love, we multiply the words. Had we remained together we could have become a silence.
I try to stay a civilian, to live as a human, not as a poet.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a desire to live a simple, human life rather than being defined solely by one's artistic identity.
Yehuda Amichai expresses the tension between being an artist and living a grounded, ordinary life. By stating his intention to remain a 'civilian', he highlights the importance of maintaining human connections and experiences above the pressures that come with being a poet. This sentiment resonates with the idea that a person's value isnβt solely defined by their profession or artistic role, but rather their shared humanity.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the balance between passion and practicality, you might quote this to emphasize the importance of staying grounded.
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Relating a person to the whole world: that is the meaning of cinema.
The reason dance has held such an ageless magic for the world is that it has been the symbol of the performance of living.
If everybody became a poet the world would be much better. We would all read to each other.
I was the female Marlon Brando of my generation.
Art is either plagiarism or revolution.
Say what you mean. Say what you see. Make a photograph, if you can, for the reader.