A sword, a spade, and a thought should never be allowed to rust. James Stephens More Quotes by James Stephens More Quotes From 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 wisdomwritinginspirational What the heart knows today the head will understand tomorrow. James Stephens weddingwisdomeducation 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 shellsasking-questionswise Let the past be content with itself, for man needs forgetfulness as well as memory James Stephens menmemoriespast 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 slydaregiving 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 ablebirdenemy You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive. James Stephens fitgiving The duty of a lyrical poet is not to express or explain, it is to intensify life. James Stephens lyricalpoetduty A woman is a branchy tree and man a singing wind; and from her branches carelessly he takes what he can find. James Stephens treewindmen Tell me your past, my beloved, for a man is his past, and is to be known by it. James Stephens belovedmenpast 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 independencethreeland I would think Until I found Something I can never find; - Something Lying On the ground, In the bottom Of my mind. James Stephens mindlyingthinking Finality is death. Perfection is finality. Nothing is perfect. There are lumps in it. James Stephens lumpsfinalityperfect Men come of age at sixty, women at fifteen. James Stephens fifteenagemen Can a spear divine the Eternal Will? James Stephens spearsdivinepeace I hear a sudden cry of pain! There is a rabbit in a snare. James Stephens crypainrabbits Is it not possible that the ultimate end is gaiety and music and a dance of joy? James Stephens gaietyendsjoy 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 flyingtryingpeople 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
