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William Stafford

William Stafford Quotes

Poet

William Stafford was an American poet known for his concise and straightforward style. His works often explore the relationship between the individual and society, as well as profound reflections on the nature and existence of humans. Born on January 17, 1914, and died on August 28, 1993.

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Famous William Stafford Quotes

“Security of character would be like a compass, you know? Other people may say that this way is north, or this way might be north. But the compass just says -- north. That's what we count on.”

People Knows Way May Character Might Would Be Compassion Security Compass

Author:William Stafford

“There are so many things admirable people do not understand.”

People Admirable

Book:Stories that could be true: new and collected poems

Source: Stories that could be true: new and collected poems

“My question is "when did other people give up the idea of being a poet?" You know, when we are kids we make up things, we write, and for me the puzzle is not that some people are still writing, the real question is why did the other people stop?”

People Knows Giving Writing Stills Ideas Real Kids Poet Giving Up Puzzles Real Questions

Book:Writing the Australian Crawl: Views on the Writer's Vocation

Source: Writing the Australian Crawl: Views on the Writer's Vocation

“Everyone is born a poet - a person discovering the way words sound and work, caring and delighting in words. I just kept on doing what everyone starts out doing. The real question is: Why did other people stop?”

People Way Persons Real Sound Born Poet Caring Discovering Real Questions

Author:William Stafford

“The Way It Is There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see. While you hold it you can’t get lost. Tragedies happen; people get hurt or die; and you suffer and get old. Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding. You don’t ever let go of the thread. ~ William Stafford ~”

People Way Hard Happens Suffering Dies Lost Hurt Wonder Letting Go Tragedy Thread Unfolding Stop Time

Author:William Stafford

“People wander about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread.”

People Spiritual Journey Wander Thread Spiritual Journey

Book:Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems of William Stafford

Source: Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems of William Stafford

“Some people are blinded by their experience. Soldiers know how important war is. Owners of slaves learn every day how inferior subject peoples are.”

People Knows Important War Know How Subjects Slave Soldier Owners Inferiors Blinded

Book:Every War Has Two Losers: William Stafford on Peace and War

Source: Every War Has Two Losers: William Stafford on Peace and War

About the Author

Born: January 17, 1914
Died: August 28, 1993
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 78

Related Topics

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Books & Sources

The Way It Is: New and Selected PoemsRelated source material

Crossing unmarked snow: further views on the writer's vocationRelated source material

Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems of William StaffordRelated source material

Every War Has Two Losers: William Stafford on Peace and WarRelated source material

Writing the Australian Crawl: Views on the Writer's VocationRelated source material

Stories that could be true: new and collected poemsRelated source material

The answers are inside the mountains: meditations on the writing lifeRelated source material

You must revise your lifeRelated source material

An Oregon MessageRelated source material

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