James Stephens Professions : Novelist Born : February 9, 1882 Died : December 26, 1950 Browse All Authors Top 36 quotes by James Stephens Originality does not consist in saying what no one has ever said before, but in saying exactly what you think yourself. James Stephens wisdom writing inspirational What the heart knows today the head will understand tomorrow. James Stephens wedding wisdom education We get wise by asking questions, and even if these are not answered we get wise, for a well-packed question carries its answer on its back as a snail carries its shell. James Stephens shells asking-questions wise Let the past be content with itself, for man needs forgetfulness as well as memory James Stephens men memories past Because our lives are cowardly and sly, Because we do not dare to take or give, Because we scowl and pass each other by, We do not live; we do not dare to live. James Stephens sly dare giving Women and birds are able to see without turning their heads, and that is indeed a necessary provision for they are both surrounded by enemies. James Stephens able bird enemy You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive. James Stephens fit giving The duty of a lyrical poet is not to express or explain, it is to intensify life. James Stephens lyrical poet duty A woman is a branchy tree and man a singing wind; and from her branches carelessly he takes what he can find. James Stephens tree wind men Tell me your past, my beloved, for a man is his past, and is to be known by it. James Stephens beloved men past My three-thousand mile walk through Ireland convinced me of one thing - the possibility of organising a proper movement for the independence of my native land. James Stephens independence three land I would think Until I found Something I can never find; - Something Lying On the ground, In the bottom Of my mind. James Stephens mind lying thinking Finality is death. Perfection is finality. Nothing is perfect. There are lumps in it. James Stephens lumps finality perfect Men come of age at sixty, women at fifteen. James Stephens fifteen age men Can a spear divine the Eternal Will? James Stephens spears divine peace I hear a sudden cry of pain! There is a rabbit in a snare. James Stephens cry pain rabbits Is it not possible that the ultimate end is gaiety and music and a dance of joy? James Stephens gaiety ends joy I came to the resolve that the attempt was not only worth trying, but should be tried in the very near future if we wanted at all to keep our flag flying; for I was sure as of my own existence that if another decade was allowed to pass without an endeavour of some kind or another to shake off an unjust yoke, the Irish people would sink into lethargy from which it would be impossible for any patriot . . . to arouse them . . . James Stephens flying trying people It is by love alone that we understand anything James Stephens alone-in-love Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will. James Stephens Similar Authors Adam Johnson novelist Ivan Goncharov novelist Binnie Kirshenbaum novelist Bruce Jay Friedman novelist Buchi Emecheta novelist Bryce Courtenay novelist All Authors
