If a poet interprets a poem of his own he limits its suggestibility.
William Butler YeatsRead
I pray-for fashion's word is out And prayer comes round again- That I may seem, though I die old, A foolish, passionate man.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the desire to live passionately and authentically, even in old age.
In this quote, William Butler Yeats expresses a yearning to embrace life with fervor and enthusiasm, suggesting that even as one grows older, the essence of being a 'foolish, passionate man' should remain. The acknowledgment of life's cyclical nature, as highlighted by the invocation of prayer and fashion, underscores the notion that true vitality and spirit can endure beyond the confines of age, allowing one to remain vibrant and engaged with the world.
Themes
PassionLifeAgeAuthenticityVitality
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote during a speech about embracing life's challenges at a retirement party.
More from William Butler Yeats
All quotes βIt 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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