Poetry is a street fighter. It has sharp elbows. It can look after itself. Poetry can't be used for manipulation; it's why you never see good poetry in advertising.
David WhyteRead
Lion sounds that have not grown from the mouse may exude naked power... but cannot convey any wisdom or understanding... The initial steps on the path to courageous speech then are the first tentative steps into the parts of us that cannot speak.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True courage in communication comes from understanding our innermost feelings and experiences.
This quote by David Whyte emphasizes that true power in speech derives not just from loudness or forcefulness, but from a deep understanding of oneself. Courageous expression stems from delving into the parts of ourselves that are often unarticulated, where genuine wisdom and connection reside.
Themes
CourageWisdomSpeechUnderstandingExpression
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a public speaking workshop to inspire participants to find their authentic voice.
More from David Whyte
All quotes →Poetry is often the art of overhearing yourself say things you didn't know you knew. It is a learned skill to force yourself to articulate your life, your present world or your possibilities for the future.
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By definition, poetry works with qualities and dynamics that mainstream society is reluctant to face head-on. It's an interesting phenomenon that by necessity, poetry is just below the radar.
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The price of our vitality is the sum of all our fears
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The severest test of work today, is not of our strategies, but of our imaginations and identities.
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We learn, grow and become compassionate and generous as much through exile as homecoming, as much through loss as gain, as much through giving things away as in receiving what we believe to be our due.
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