QuoteProject
Never shall a young man, Thrown into despair By those great honey-coloured Ramparts at your ear, Love you for yourself alone And not your yellow hair.
William Butler Yeats
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote expresses that true love should be based on the deeper qualities of a person, rather than superficial attributes like physical appearance.

In this quote, William Butler Yeats reflects on the nature of love, suggesting that a young man who falls in love with someone should do so for their character and spirit rather than being captivated solely by their physical beauty, represented metaphorically by 'yellow hair'. This highlights the importance of valuing inner qualities over outer appearances in love and relationships.

Themes

LoveTrue BeautyInner QualitiesAppearanceRelationships

In practice

Example use cases

A wedding speech to emphasize the importance of inner beauty in relationships.

More from William Butler Yeats

If a poet interprets a poem of his own he limits its suggestibility.
William Butler YeatsRead
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

Similar quotes

I am worth loving. I do not have to earn love. I am lovable because I exist. Others reflect the love I have for myself.
Louise HayRead
It is certain that the love of God does not consist in this sweetness and tenderness which we for the most part desire; but rather in serving Him in justice, fortitude, and humility. His Majesty seeks and loves courageous souls.
Teresa Of AvilaRead
One word _x000D_ _x000D_ Frees us of all the weight and pain of life:_x000D_ _x000D_ That word is love.
SophoclesRead
A kiss that is never tasted, is forever and ever wasted.
Billie HolidayRead
Tonight love and hate met in St. Louis. And love outnumbered the hate, in poetic thousands. Hate left. But love stayed. + Together, we sang.
Lady GagaRead
For we love not God first, to compel him to love again; but he loved us first, and gave his Son for us, that we might see love and love again, saith St John in his first epistle.
William TyndaleRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.