Never such innocence, Never before or since, As changed itself to past Without a word--the men Leaving the gardens tidy, The thousands of marriages Lasting a little while longer: Never such innocence again.
Philip LarkinRead
It becomes still more difficult to find Words at once true and kind, Or not untrue and not unkind.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Finding the right words that are both truthful and kind is a complex challenge.
This quote by Philip Larkin highlights the struggle of expressing oneself in a manner that balances honesty with kindness. It suggests that communication often involves a delicate negotiation between being truthful and being considerate, indicating that many words may fall short of this ideal.
Themes
CommunicationTruthKindnessWordsHonesty
In practice
Example use cases
During a toast at a wedding, one might reflect on the challenges of finding meaningful and kind words.
More from Philip Larkin
All quotes →Uncontradicting solitude Supports me on its giant palm; And like a sea-anemone Or simple snail, there cautiously Unfolds, emerges, what I am.
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Saki says that youth is like hors d'oeuvres: you are so busy thinking of the next courses you don't notice it. When you've had them, you wish you'd had more hors d'oeuvres.
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Above all, though, children are linked to adults by the simple fact that they are in process of turning into them. For this they may be forgiven much. Children are bound to be inferior to adults, or there is no incentive to grow up.
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Originality is being different from oneself, not others.
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I can't understand these chaps who go round American universities explaining how they write poems: It's like going round explaining how you sleep with your wife.
Philip LarkinRead
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