If a poet interprets a poem of his own he limits its suggestibility.
William Butler YeatsRead
Hearts are not had as a gift, But hearts are earned.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Love must be earned through actions and mutual respect, not simply given freely.
This quote suggests that genuine affection and emotional attachment are not simply bestowed upon someone as a gift. Instead, they require effort, trust, and understanding to be developed and cherished, emphasizing the importance of meaningful connections in relationships.
Themes
LoveRelationshipsTrustAffectionEarned
In practice
Example use cases
In a wedding speech to emphasize the importance of mutual respect in a marriage.
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.
William Butler YeatsRead
But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
William Butler YeatsRead
How far away the stars seem, and how far is our first kiss, and ah, how old my heart.
William Butler YeatsRead
For he would be thinking of love Till the stars had run away And the shadows eaten the moon.
William Butler YeatsRead
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.
William Butler YeatsRead
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