T. S. Eliot Quotes And Sayings

T. S. Eliot – Poet – United States – September 26, 1888 – January 4, 1965
Thomas Stearns Eliot OM was a British essayist, publisher, playwright, literary and social critic, and “one of the twentieth century’s major poets”. He moved from his native United States to England in 1914 at the age of 25, settling, working, and marrying there. He was eventually naturalised as a British subject in 1927 at the age of 39, renouncing his American citizenship. Eliot attracted widespread attention for his poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”. He was also known for his seven plays, particularly Murder in the Cathedral . He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948, “for his outstanding, pioneer contribution to present-day poetry”.

It's Not Wise To Violate Rules Until You Know How To Observe Them.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (12) - It's Not Wise To Violate Rules Until Yo... - QuotesIt's Not Wise To Violate Rules Until You Know How To Observe Them.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (12) - It's Not Wise To Violate Rules Until Yo... - Quotes

Half Of The Harm That Is Done In This World Is Due To People Who Want To Feel Important. They Don't Mean To Do Harm. But The Harm Does Not Interest Them.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (11) - Half Of The Harm That Is Done In This W... - QuotesHalf Of The Harm That Is Done In This World Is Due To People Who Want To Feel Important. They Don't Mean To Do Harm. But The Harm Does Not Interest Them.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (11) - Half Of The Harm That Is Done In This W... - Quotes

Only Those Who Will Risk Going Too Far Can Possibly Find Out How Far One Can Go.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (1) - Only Those Who Will Risk Going Too Far C... - QuotesOnly Those Who Will Risk Going Too Far Can Possibly Find Out How Far One Can Go.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (1) - Only Those Who Will Risk Going Too Far C... - Quotes

What We Call The Beginning Is Often The End. And To Make An End Is To Make A Beginning. The End Is Where We Start From.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (13) - What We Call The Beginning Is Often The... - QuotesWhat We Call The Beginning Is Often The End. And To Make An End Is To Make A Beginning. The End Is Where We Start From.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (13) - What We Call The Beginning Is Often The... - Quotes

It's Strange That Words Are So Inadequate. Yet, Like The Asthmatic Struggling For Breath, So The Lover Must Struggle For Words.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (10) - It's Strange That Words Are So Inadequa... - QuotesIt's Strange That Words Are So Inadequate. Yet, Like The Asthmatic Struggling For Breath, So The Lover Must Struggle For Words.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (10) - It's Strange That Words Are So Inadequa... - Quotes

I Don't Believe One Grows Older. I Think That What Happens Early On In Life Is That At A Certain Age One Stands Still And Stagnates.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (14) - I Don't Believe One Grows Older. I Thin... - QuotesI Don't Believe One Grows Older. I Think That What Happens Early On In Life Is That At A Certain Age One Stands Still And Stagnates.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (14) - I Don't Believe One Grows Older. I Thin... - Quotes

As Things Are, And As Fundamentally They Must Always Be, Poetry Is Not A Career, But A Mug's Game. No Honest Poet Can Ever Feel Quite Sure Of The Permanent Value Of What He Has Written: He May Have Wasted His Time And Messed Up His Life For Nothing.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (16) - As Things Are, And As Fundamentally The... - QuotesAs Things Are, And As Fundamentally They Must Always Be, Poetry Is Not A Career, But A Mug's Game. No Honest Poet Can Ever Feel Quite Sure Of The Permanent Value Of What He Has Written: He May Have Wasted His Time And Messed Up His Life For Nothing.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (16) - As Things Are, And As Fundamentally The... - Quotes

Poetry May Make Us From Time To Time A Little More Aware Of The Deeper, Unnamed Feelings Which Form The Substratum Of Our Being, To Which We Rarely Penetrate; For Our Lives Are Mostly A Constant Evasion Of Ourselves.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (15) - Poetry May Make Us From Time To Time A ... - QuotesPoetry May Make Us From Time To Time A Little More Aware Of The Deeper, Unnamed Feelings Which Form The Substratum Of Our Being, To Which We Rarely Penetrate; For Our Lives Are Mostly A Constant Evasion Of Ourselves.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (15) - Poetry May Make Us From Time To Time A ... - Quotes

A Play Should Give You Something To Think About. When I See A Play And Understand It The First Time, Then I Know It Can't Be Much Good.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (17) - A Play Should Give You Something To Thi... - QuotesA Play Should Give You Something To Think About. When I See A Play And Understand It The First Time, Then I Know It Can't Be Much Good.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (17) - A Play Should Give You Something To Thi... - Quotes

Moving Between The Legs Of Tables And Of Chairs, Rising Or Falling, Grasping At Kisses And Toys, Advancing Boldly, Sudden To Take Alarm, Retreating To The Corner Of Arm And Knee, Eager To Be Reassured, Taking Pleasure In The Fragrant Brilliance Of The Christmas Tree.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (18) - Moving Between The Legs Of Tables And O... - QuotesMoving Between The Legs Of Tables And Of Chairs, Rising Or Falling, Grasping At Kisses And Toys, Advancing Boldly, Sudden To Take Alarm, Retreating To The Corner Of Arm And Knee, Eager To Be Reassured, Taking Pleasure In The Fragrant Brilliance Of The Christmas Tree.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (18) - Moving Between The Legs Of Tables And O... - Quotes

Let's Not Be Narrow, Nasty, And Negative.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (19) - Let's Not Be Narrow, Nasty, And Negativ... - QuotesLet's Not Be Narrow, Nasty, And Negative.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (19) - Let's Not Be Narrow, Nasty, And Negativ... - Quotes

You Are The Music While The Music Lasts.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (2) - You Are The Music While The Music Lasts.... - QuotesYou Are The Music While The Music Lasts.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (2) - You Are The Music While The Music Lasts.... - Quotes

Anxiety Is The Hand Maiden Of Creativity.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (21) - Anxiety Is The Hand Maiden Of Creativit... - QuotesAnxiety Is The Hand Maiden Of Creativity.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (21) - Anxiety Is The Hand Maiden Of Creativit... - Quotes

If You Aren't In Over Your Head, How Do You Know How Tall You Are?

T. S. Eliot Quotes (20) - If You Aren't In Over Your Head, How Do... - QuotesIf You Aren't In Over Your Head, How Do You Know How Tall You Are?

T. S. Eliot Quotes (20) - If You Aren't In Over Your Head, How Do... - Quotes

Immature Poets Imitate; Mature Poets Steal.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (22) - Immature Poets Imitate; Mature Poets St... - QuotesImmature Poets Imitate; Mature Poets Steal.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (22) - Immature Poets Imitate; Mature Poets St... - Quotes

Genuine Poetry Can Communicate Before It Is Understood.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (23) - Genuine Poetry Can Communicate Before I... - QuotesGenuine Poetry Can Communicate Before It Is Understood.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (23) - Genuine Poetry Can Communicate Before I... - Quotes

People To Whom Nothing Has Ever Happened Cannot Understand The Unimportance Of Events.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (24) - People To Whom Nothing Has Ever Happene... - QuotesPeople To Whom Nothing Has Ever Happened Cannot Understand The Unimportance Of Events.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (24) - People To Whom Nothing Has Ever Happene... - Quotes

So The Lover Must Struggle For Words.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (25) - So The Lover Must Struggle For Words.... - QuotesSo The Lover Must Struggle For Words.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (25) - So The Lover Must Struggle For Words.... - Quotes

My Greatest Trouble Is Getting The Curtain Up And Down.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (27) - My Greatest Trouble Is Getting The Curt... - QuotesMy Greatest Trouble Is Getting The Curtain Up And Down.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (27) - My Greatest Trouble Is Getting The Curt... - Quotes

I Had Seen Birth And Death But Had Thought They Were Different.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (26) - I Had Seen Birth And Death But Had Thou... - QuotesI Had Seen Birth And Death But Had Thought They Were Different.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (26) - I Had Seen Birth And Death But Had Thou... - Quotes

This Love Is Silent.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (28) - This Love Is Silent.... - QuotesThis Love Is Silent.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (28) - This Love Is Silent.... - Quotes

Home Is Where One Starts From.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (29) - Home Is Where One Starts From.... - QuotesHome Is Where One Starts From.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (29) - Home Is Where One Starts From.... - Quotes

So The Darkness Shall Be The Light, And The Stillness The Dancing.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (3) - So The Darkness Shall Be The Light, And ... - QuotesSo The Darkness Shall Be The Light, And The Stillness The Dancing.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (3) - So The Darkness Shall Be The Light, And ... - Quotes

It Is Obvious That We Can No More Explain A Passion To A Person Who Has Never Experienced It Than We Can Explain Light To The Blind.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (30) - It Is Obvious That We Can No More Expla... - QuotesIt Is Obvious That We Can No More Explain A Passion To A Person Who Has Never Experienced It Than We Can Explain Light To The Blind.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (30) - It Is Obvious That We Can No More Expla... - Quotes

Knowledge Is Invariably A Matter Of Degree: You Cannot Put Your Finger Upon Even The Simplest Datum And Say This We Know.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (31) - Knowledge Is Invariably A Matter Of Deg... - QuotesKnowledge Is Invariably A Matter Of Degree: You Cannot Put Your Finger Upon Even The Simplest Datum And Say This We Know.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (31) - Knowledge Is Invariably A Matter Of Deg... - Quotes

The Soul Is So Far From Being A Monad That We Have Not Only To Interpret Other Souls To Ourself But To Interpret Ourself To Ourself.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (32) - The Soul Is So Far From Being A Monad T... - QuotesThe Soul Is So Far From Being A Monad That We Have Not Only To Interpret Other Souls To Ourself But To Interpret Ourself To Ourself.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (32) - The Soul Is So Far From Being A Monad T... - Quotes

April Is The Cruellest Month.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (36) - April Is The Cruellest Month.... - QuotesApril Is The Cruellest Month.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (36) - April Is The Cruellest Month.... - Quotes

Some Editors Are Failed Writers, But So Are Most Writers.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (33) - Some Editors Are Failed Writers, But So... - QuotesSome Editors Are Failed Writers, But So Are Most Writers.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (33) - Some Editors Are Failed Writers, But So... - Quotes

Where Is All The Knowledge We Lost With Information?

T. S. Eliot Quotes (34) - Where Is All The Knowledge We Lost With... - QuotesWhere Is All The Knowledge We Lost With Information?

T. S. Eliot Quotes (34) - Where Is All The Knowledge We Lost With... - Quotes

The Last Temptation Is The Greatest Treason: To Do The Right Deed For The Wrong Reason.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (35) - The Last Temptation Is The Greatest Tre... - QuotesThe Last Temptation Is The Greatest Treason: To Do The Right Deed For The Wrong Reason.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (35) - The Last Temptation Is The Greatest Tre... - Quotes

I Will Show You Fear In A Handful Of Dust.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (39) - I Will Show You Fear In A Handful Of Du... - QuotesI Will Show You Fear In A Handful Of Dust.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (39) - I Will Show You Fear In A Handful Of Du... - Quotes

If You Desire To Drain To The Dregs The Fullest Cup Of Scorn And Hatred That A Fellow Human Being Can Pour Out For You, Let A Young Mother Hear You Call Dear Baby 'It.'

T. S. Eliot Quotes (37) - If You Desire To Drain To The Dregs The... - QuotesIf You Desire To Drain To The Dregs The Fullest Cup Of Scorn And Hatred That A Fellow Human Being Can Pour Out For You, Let A Young Mother Hear You Call Dear Baby 'It.'

T. S. Eliot Quotes (37) - If You Desire To Drain To The Dregs The... - Quotes

It Is Only In The World Of Objects That We Have Time And Space And Selves.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (38) - It Is Only In The World Of Objects That... - QuotesIt Is Only In The World Of Objects That We Have Time And Space And Selves.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (38) - It Is Only In The World Of Objects That... - Quotes

Poetry Is Not A Turning Loose Of Emotion, But An Escape From Emotion; It Is Not The Expression Of Personality, But An Escape From Personality. But, Of Course, Only Those Who Have Personality And Emotions Know What It Means To Want To Escape From These Things.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (4) - Poetry Is Not A Turning Loose Of Emotion... - QuotesPoetry Is Not A Turning Loose Of Emotion, But An Escape From Emotion; It Is Not The Expression Of Personality, But An Escape From Personality. But, Of Course, Only Those Who Have Personality And Emotions Know What It Means To Want To Escape From These Things.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (4) - Poetry Is Not A Turning Loose Of Emotion... - Quotes

There Is No Absolute Point Of View From Which Real And Ideal Can Be Finally Separated And Labelled.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (40) - There Is No Absolute Point Of View From... - QuotesThere Is No Absolute Point Of View From Which Real And Ideal Can Be Finally Separated And Labelled.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (40) - There Is No Absolute Point Of View From... - Quotes

The Tiger Springs In The New Year. Us He Devours.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (42) - The Tiger Springs In The New Year. Us H... - QuotesThe Tiger Springs In The New Year. Us He Devours.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (42) - The Tiger Springs In The New Year. Us H... - Quotes

O Lord, Deliver Me From The Man Of Excellent Intention And Impure Heart: For The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things, And Desperately Wicked.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (41) - O Lord, Deliver Me From The Man Of Exce... - QuotesO Lord, Deliver Me From The Man Of Excellent Intention And Impure Heart: For The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things, And Desperately Wicked.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (41) - O Lord, Deliver Me From The Man Of Exce... - Quotes

And They Write Innumerable Books; Being Too Vain And Distracted For Silence: Seeking Every One After His Own Elevation, And Dodging His Emptiness.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (43) - And They Write Innumerable Books; Being... - QuotesAnd They Write Innumerable Books; Being Too Vain And Distracted For Silence: Seeking Every One After His Own Elevation, And Dodging His Emptiness.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (43) - And They Write Innumerable Books; Being... - Quotes

All Significant Truths Are Private Truths. As They Become Public They Cease To Become Truths; They Become Facts, Or At Best, Part Of The Public Character; Or At Worst, Catchwords.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (44) - All Significant Truths Are Private Trut... - QuotesAll Significant Truths Are Private Truths. As They Become Public They Cease To Become Truths; They Become Facts, Or At Best, Part Of The Public Character; Or At Worst, Catchwords.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (44) - All Significant Truths Are Private Trut... - Quotes

A Toothache, Or A Violent Passion, Is Not Necessarily Diminished By Our Knowledge Of Its Causes, Its Character, Its Importance Or Insignificance.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (45) - A Toothache, Or A Violent Passion, Is N... - QuotesA Toothache, Or A Violent Passion, Is Not Necessarily Diminished By Our Knowledge Of Its Causes, Its Character, Its Importance Or Insignificance.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (45) - A Toothache, Or A Violent Passion, Is N... - Quotes

Wait Without Thought, For You Are Not Ready For Thought.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (46) - Wait Without Thought, For You Are Not R... - QuotesWait Without Thought, For You Are Not Ready For Thought.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (46) - Wait Without Thought, For You Are Not R... - Quotes

For Love Would Be Love Of The Wrong Thing; There Is Yet Faith, But The Faith And The Love And The Hope Are All In The Waiting.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (47) - For Love Would Be Love Of The Wrong Thi... - QuotesFor Love Would Be Love Of The Wrong Thing; There Is Yet Faith, But The Faith And The Love And The Hope Are All In The Waiting.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (47) - For Love Would Be Love Of The Wrong Thi... - Quotes

There Is Not A More Repulsive Spectacle Than On Old Man Who Will Not Forsake The World, Which Has Already Forsaken Him.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (48) - There Is Not A More Repulsive Spectacle... - QuotesThere Is Not A More Repulsive Spectacle Than On Old Man Who Will Not Forsake The World, Which Has Already Forsaken Him.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (48) - There Is Not A More Repulsive Spectacle... - Quotes

Where Is The Life We Have Lost In Living? Where Is The Wisdom We Have Lost In Knowledge? Where Is The Knowledge We Have Lost In Information?

T. S. Eliot Quotes (49) - Where Is The Life We Have Lost In Livin... - QuotesWhere Is The Life We Have Lost In Living? Where Is The Wisdom We Have Lost In Knowledge? Where Is The Knowledge We Have Lost In Information?

T. S. Eliot Quotes (49) - Where Is The Life We Have Lost In Livin... - Quotes

We Shall Not Cease From Exploration, And The End Of All Our Exploring Will Be To Arrive Where We Started And Know The Place For The First Time.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (5) - We Shall Not Cease From Exploration, And... - QuotesWe Shall Not Cease From Exploration, And The End Of All Our Exploring Will Be To Arrive Where We Started And Know The Place For The First Time.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (5) - We Shall Not Cease From Exploration, And... - Quotes

We Know Too Much, And Are Convinced Of Too Little. Our Literature Is A Substitute For Religion, And So Is Our Religion.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (50) - We Know Too Much, And Are Convinced Of ... - QuotesWe Know Too Much, And Are Convinced Of Too Little. Our Literature Is A Substitute For Religion, And So Is Our Religion.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (50) - We Know Too Much, And Are Convinced Of ... - Quotes

The Communication Of The Dead Is Tongued With Fire Beyond The Language Of The Living.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (52) - The Communication Of The Dead Is Tongue... - QuotesThe Communication Of The Dead Is Tongued With Fire Beyond The Language Of The Living.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (52) - The Communication Of The Dead Is Tongue... - Quotes

Humankind Cannot Bear Very Much Reality.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (54) - Humankind Cannot Bear Very Much Reality... - QuotesHumankind Cannot Bear Very Much Reality.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (54) - Humankind Cannot Bear Very Much Reality... - Quotes

I Have Measured Out My Life With Coffee Spoons.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (51) - I Have Measured Out My Life With Coffee... - QuotesI Have Measured Out My Life With Coffee Spoons.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (51) - I Have Measured Out My Life With Coffee... - Quotes

Poetry Should Help, Not Only To Refine The Language Of The Time, But To Prevent It From Changing Too Rapidly.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (53) - Poetry Should Help, Not Only To Refine ... - QuotesPoetry Should Help, Not Only To Refine The Language Of The Time, But To Prevent It From Changing Too Rapidly.

T. S. Eliot Quotes (53) - Poetry Should Help, Not Only To Refine ... - Quotes