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Quote by Czeslaw Milosz

“There was a time when only wise books were read helping us to bear our pain and misery. This, after all, is not quite the same as leafing through a thousand works fresh from psychiatric clinics. And yet the world is different from what it seems to be and we are other than how we see ourselves in our ravings.”

Quote by Czeslaw Milosz

Author

Czeslaw Milosz was a renowned Polish poet, essayist, and translator. Born on June 30, 1911, in Lithuania, he passed away on August 14, 2004. Milosz's poetry is celebrated for its deep exploration of human existence, history, and politics, reflecting the complex history of Poland and Eastern Europe. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1980 for his significant contributions to poetry and prose. more

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“From life, from the apple cut by the flaming knife, what grain will be saved? My son, believe me, nothing remains, Only adult toil, the furrow of fate in the palm. Only toil, Nothing more.”

Believe Cutting Fate Son Adults Remains Saved Apples My Son Knives Grain Believe In Me Toil Palms

Author:Czeslaw Milosz

“They used to pour millet on graves or poppy seeds To feed the dead who would come disguised as birds. I put this book here for you, who once lived So that you should visit us no more.”

Should Book Used Bird Seeds Graves Poppies

Author:Czeslaw Milosz

“It isn't pleasant to surrender to the hegemony of a nation which is still wild and primitive, and to concede the absolute superiority of its customs and institutions, science and technology, literature and art. Must one sacrifice so much in the name of the unity of mankind?”

“I was left behind with the immensity of existing things. A sponge, suffering because it cannot saturate itself; a river, suffering because reflections of clouds and trees are not clouds and trees.”

Suffering Left Behinds Tree Reflection Rivers Clouds Left Behind Sponges Immensity

Book:Selected and Last Poems 1931-2004

Source: Selected and Last Poems 1931-2004

“Leaves glowing in the sun, zealous hum of bumblebees, From afar, from somewhere beyond the river, echoes of lingering voices And the unhurried sounds of a hammer gave joy not only to me. Before the five senses were opened, and earlier than any beginning They waited, ready, for all those who would call themselves mortals, So that they might praise, as I do, life, that is, happiness.”

Might Joy Sound Voice Sun Five Ready Rivers Praise Senses Mortals Echoes Hammers Glowing Afar Lingering Zealous Five Senses Bumblebees

Author:Czeslaw Milosz

“Our memory is childish and it saves only what we need.”

Needs Memories Our Memories

Author:Czeslaw Milosz

“I think that I am here, on this earth, to present a report on it, but to whom I don't know. As if I were sent so that whatever takes place has meaning because it changes into memory.”

Ifs Thinking Knows Earth Memories Reports

Author:Czeslaw Milosz

“I knew that I would speak in the language of the vanquished No more durable than old customs, family rituals, Christmas tinsel, and once a year the hilarity of carols.”

Years Speak Language Customs Ritual Carols Hilarity Tinsel

Author:Czeslaw Milosz

“When the loo paper gets thicker and the writing paper thinner, it's always a bad sign, at home.”

Writing Home Paper

Author:Nancy Mitford

“The Scots are subsidy junkies whingeing like a trampled bagpipe as they wait for their next fix of English taxpayers' money.”

Next Waiting Taxpayers Junkie Subsidies Scots Bagpipes

Author:Christopher Monckton, 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley