Quote

Murder is unique in that it abolishes the party it injures, so that society has to take the place of the victim and on his behalf demand atonement or grant forgiveness it is the one crime in which society has a direct interest.

W. H. Auden

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W. H. Auden
Age: 66 †
Born: 1907
Born: February 21
Died: 1973
Died: September 28
Author
Composer
Essayist
Librettist
Literary Critic
Literary Historian
Playwright
Poet
Screenwriter
University Teacher
Writer
Jórvík
Wystan Hugh Auden
Wystan Auden
Wystan H Auden
W. H. Wystan Hugh Auden
Party
Grants
Interest
Forgiveness
Society
Murder
Abolishes
Place
Victim
Injures
Take
Demand
Atonement
Unique
Abolish
Direct
Grant
Crime
Behalf

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The commonest ivory tower is that of the average man, the state of passivity towards experience.
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It's frightening how easy it is to commit murder in America. Just a drink too much. I can see myself doing it. In England, one feels all the social restraints holding one back. But here, anything can happen.
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A dead man who never caused others to die seldom rates a statue.
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Some books are undeservedly forgotten none are undeservedly remembered.
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The surest sign that a man has a genuine taste of his own is that he is uncertain of it.
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A poor American feels guilty at being poor, but less guilty than an American rentier who has inherited wealth but is doing nothingto increase it what can the latter do but take to drink and psychoanalysis?
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Oh, how I wish that Orwell were still alive, so that I could read his comments on contemporary events!
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In headaches and in worry Vaguely life leaks away, And Time will have his fancy To-morrow or today.
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The poet marries the language, and out of this marriage the poem is born.
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From beginning to end Wilde performed his life and continued to do so even after fame had taken the plot out of his own hands.
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To make one, there must be two.
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Defenceless under the night Our world in stupor lies Yet, dotted everywhere, Ironic points of light Flash out wherever the Just Exchange their messages: May I, composed like them Of Eros and of dust, Beleaguered by the same Negation and despair, Show an affirming flame.
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In a land which is fully settled, most men must accept their local environment or try to change it by political means only the exceptionally gifted or adventurous can leave to seek his fortune elsewhere. In America, on the other hand, to move on and make a fresh start somewhere else is still the normal reaction to dissatisfaction and failure.
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But once in a while the odd thing happens Once in a while the dream comes true And the whole pattern of life is altered Once in a while, the moon turns blue
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Criticism should be a casual conversation.
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Get up very early and get going at once. In fact, work first and wash afterwards.
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The habit-forming pain, Mismanagement and grief: We must suffer them all again.
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