Bei Dao Quotes

Poet

Bei Dao, born Zhao Zhenkai, is a renowned Chinese contemporary poet, born on August 2, 1949. His poetry is known for its profound meaning and unique artistic style, which has had a profound impact on contemporary Chinese literature.

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All World Writing Can't Change China Helping Names Thinking Able Age Audience

Famous Bei Dao Quotes

“The name Bei Dao was actually given to me with the help of friends. When we were publishing our unofficial magazine, Today, we wanted to avoid being harassed by the police so we were trying to think of names that we could use. It was done very casually.”

Thinking Trying Done Helping Use Today Wanted Names Given Police Magazines Publishing

Author:Bei Dao

“Bei Dao became the most well-known name for me because of certain criticism of my work. Bei Dao was the name under which my work was criticized. So I became more well-known under Bei Dao than under the other names.”

Wells Certain Names Known Criticism Well Known Most Well Known

Author:Bei Dao

“As a writer, the most important thing for me is to continue to write, no matter where I am.”

Writing Important Matter Important Things

Author:Bei Dao

“Writing is the thing that sustains me and keeps me going. It is a form of self-preservation for me.”

Writing Self Form Preservation Self Preservation

Author:Bei Dao

“I don't think of writing my poems for China or for the world. I mainly think of a small audience of friends and people I know. I am writing for that small group. They are not necessarily going to be able to read it, but that's what I have in mind when I write.”

People Thinking Knows World Writing Mind Able Audience Groups China Small Groups

Author:Bei Dao

“On the one hand poetry is useless. It can't change the world materially. On the other hand it is a basic part of human existence. It came into the world when humans did. It's what makes human beings human.”

World Humans Hands Human Beings Existence Useless Changing The World Poetry Is Being Human Can't Change Human Existence

Author:Bei Dao

“Being a poet in the States is quite different from being one in China, because in the States poetry depends on the universities for its support. They finance the poets and help them get published. That isn't so in China. But overall it is the same. You can't change society with poetry.”

Different States Helping Support Poet Depends University China Finance Can't Change

Author:Bei Dao

“In the world I am Always a stranger I do not understand its language It does not understand my silence”

World Doe Language Silence Stranger

Author:Bei Dao

“Freedom is nothing but the distance between the hunter and the hunted.”

Distance Hunters Hunted

Author:Bei Dao

“Perhaps the final hour is come I have left no testament Only a pen, for my mother I am no hero in an age without heroes I just want to be a man.”

Men Want Age Mother Left Hours Hero Finals Pens Testament Be A Man

Book:Notes from the City of the Sun: Poems

Source: Notes from the City of the Sun: Poems

About the Author

Born: August 2, 1949
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 10

Books & Sources

Notes from the City of the Sun: PoemsRelated source material

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