James Stephens
James Stephens
James Stephenswas an Irish novelist and poet...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth2 February 1882
CountryIreland
almost certainly endeavour explain intimate less minutes parallel quarter quite themselves
A man and a woman may become quite intimate in a quarter of an hour. Almost certainly will they endeavour to explain themselves to each other before many minutes have elapsed; but a man and a man will not do this, and even less so will a woman and a woman, for these are parallel lines which will never meet.
birth case death far men mercantile mysteries occupy political whom women
The mysteries of death and birth occupy women far more than is the case with men, to whom political and mercantile speculations are more congenial.
alone-in-love
It is by love alone that we understand anything
men past beloved
Tell me your past, my beloved, for a man is his past, and is to be known by it.
poet lyrical duty
The duty of a lyrical poet is not to express or explain, it is to intensify life.
pain rabbits cry
I hear a sudden cry of pain! There is a rabbit in a snare.
men wind tree
A woman is a branchy tree and man a singing wind; and from her branches carelessly he takes what he can find.
peace divine spears
Can a spear divine the Eternal Will?
wise asking-questions shells
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.
people flying trying
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 . . .
land independence movement
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.
joy ends ultimate
Is it not possible that the ultimate end is gaiety and music and a dance of joy?
lying thinking mind
I would think Until I found Something I can never find; - Something Lying On the ground, In the bottom Of my mind.
giving dare sly
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.