If a poet interprets a poem of his own he limits its suggestibility.
William Butler YeatsRead
Mock mockers after that That would not lift a hand maybe To help good, wise or great To bar that foul storm out, for we Traffic in mockery.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the dangers of mockery and the importance of supporting good and wise actions in the face of negativity.
In this quote, William Butler Yeats critiques those who engage in mockery without offering constructive support or solutions. It highlights the moral responsibility to uplift and assist positive initiatives rather than simply criticizing or deriding them, as mockery often distracts from the genuine issues at hand and fosters a culture of negativity.
Themes
MockerySupportCriticismResponsibilityNegativity
In practice
Example use cases
During a community meeting about local issues, this quote can be used to emphasize the need for constructive dialogue.
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.
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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