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It's impossible to represent a saint [in Art]. It becomes boring. Perhaps because he is, like the Saturday Evening Post people, inthe position of having almost infinitely free will.

W. H. Auden

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W. H. Auden
Age: 66 †
Born: 1907
Born: February 21
Died: 1973
Died: September 28
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Wystan Hugh Auden
Wystan Auden
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W. H. Wystan Hugh Auden
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a culture is no better than its woods
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All I have is a voice to undo the folded lie, the romantic lie in the brain of the sensual man-in-the-street and the lie of Authority whose buildings grope the sky: There is no such thing as the State and no one exists alone Hunger allows no choice to the citizen or the police We must love one another or die.
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Water is the soul of the Earth.
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The critical opinions of a writer should always be taken with a large grain of salt. For the most part, they are manifestations of his debate with himself as to what he should do next and what he should avoid.
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Get up very early and get going at once. In fact, work first and wash afterwards.
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Each in the cell of himself is almost convinced of his freedom.
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Private faces in public places Are wiser and nicer Than public faces in private places.
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Time will say nothing but I told you so, Time only knows the price we have to pay If I could tell you I would let you know.
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We must love one another or die
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A false enchantment can all too easily last a lifetime.
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The closest modern equivalent to the Homeric hero is the ace fighter pilot.
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Thou shalt not answer questionnaires Or quizzes upon world affairs, Nor with compliance Take any test. Thou shalt not sit with statisticians nor commit A social science.
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Words are for those with promises to keep.
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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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Dance till the stars come down from the rafters Dance, Dance, Dance 'till you drop.
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Most people enjoy the sight of their own handwriting as they enjoy the smell of their own farts.
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The older lives like not to be stood in rows or at right angles.
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Clear, unscaleable ahead, Rise the mountains of instead From whose cold, cascading streams None may drink except in dreams
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Like love we don't know where or why Like love we cant compel or fly Like Love we often weep Like Love we seldom keep
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The countenances of children, like those of animals, are masks, not faces, for they have not yet developed a significant profile of their own.
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