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Politics cannot be a science, because in politics theory and practice cannot be separated, and the sciences depend upon their separation.

W. H. Auden

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W. H. Auden
Age: 66 †
Born: 1907
Born: February 21
Died: 1973
Died: September 28
Author
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Essayist
Librettist
Literary Critic
Literary Historian
Playwright
Poet
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University Teacher
Writer
Jórvík
Wystan Hugh Auden
Wystan Auden
Wystan H Auden
W. H. Wystan Hugh Auden
Theory
Politics
Practice
Upon
Separated
Science
Sciences
Cannot
Depend
Separation
Depends

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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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My face looks like a wedding-cake left out in the rain.
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Of all possible subjects, travel is the most difficult for an artist, as it is the easiest for a journalist.
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Pleasure is by no means an infallible critical guide, but it is the least fallible.
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Those to whom evil is doneDo evil in return.
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The theater has never been any good since the actors became gentlemen.
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'Healing,' Papa would tell me, 'is not a science, but the intuitive art of wooing nature.'
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If there are any souls in hell, it is because that is where they insist on being.
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Rhymes, meters, stanza forms, etc., are like servants. If the master is fair enough to win their affection and firm enough to command their respect, the result is an orderly happy household. If he is too tyrannical, they give notice if he lacks authority, they become slovenly, impertinent, drunk and dishonest.
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Health is the state about which medicine has nothing to say.
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And none will hear the postman’s knock Without a quickening of the heart. For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?
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Aphorisms are essentially an aristocratic genre of writing. The aphorist does not argue or explain, he asserts and implicit in his assertion is a conviction that he is wiser and more intelligent than his readers.
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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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There is a certain kind of person who is so dominated by the desire to be loved for himself alone that he has constantly to test those around him by tiresome behavior what he says and does must be admired, not because it is intrinsically admirable, but because it is his remark, his act. Does not this explain a good deal of avant-garde art?
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Base words are uttered only by the base And can for such at once be understood But noble platitudes - ah, there's a case Where the most careful scrutiny is needed To tell a voice that's genuinely good From one that's base but merely has succeeded.
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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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All the literati keep An imaginary friend.
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Why doesn't the United States take over the monarchy and unite with England? England does have important assets. Naturally the longer you wait, the more they will dwindle. At least you could use it for a summer resort instead of Maine.
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Great art is clear thinking about mixed feelings.
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