James Stephens
James Stephens
James Stephenswas an Irish novelist and poet...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth2 February 1882
CountryIreland
answer ask frame meditate occupation
To ask questions can become the laziest and wobbliest occupation of a mind, but when you must yourself answer the problem that you have posed, you will meditate your question with care and frame it with precision.
believing either follow happening higher knowledge magic possible quite seeing
Knowledge, may it be said, is higher than magic and is more to be sought. It is quite possible to see what is happening and yet not know what is forward, for while seeing is believing, it does not follow that either seeing or believing is knowing.
domestic economy entire half men muddle political understood women
If men understood domestic economy half as well as women do, then their political economy and their entire consequent statecraft would not be the futil muddle which it is.
chaos continuity happiness order
Chaos is the first condition. Order is the first law. Continuity is the first reflection. Quietude is the first happiness.
carelessly curiosity death either experience honest life next runs stage towards
Life runs to death as its goal, and we should go towards that next stage of experience either carelessly as to what must be, or with a good, honest curiosity as to what may be.
brave conquer fear irish-poet
Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.
beginning quietness silent stars
Quietness is the beginning of virtue. To be silent is to be beautiful. Stars do not make a noise.
irish-poet
A sword, a spade, and a thought should never be allowed to rust.
beyond feeling lies personal privileged vanity
Under all wrongdoing lies personal vanity or the feeling that we are endowed and privileged beyond our fellows.
holy people places priest work
To work is nothing; the king on his throne, the priest kneeling before the Holy Altar, all people in all places had to work, but no person at all need be a servant.
By having much, you are fitted to have more.
irish-poet
Sleep is an excellent way of listening to an opera.
healthy knows man natural nature quickly reduce wash
Any fool can wash himself, but every wise man knows that it is an unnecessary labour, for nature will quickly reduce him to a natural and healthy dirtiness again.
cleaned safety
It was potentially a safety hazard. We are most appreciative of it being cleaned up,