“Every sign by itself seems dead. What gives it life?--In use it is alive. Is life breathed into it there?--Or is the use its life?” LifeGivingUseSeemsLanguageAliveBreathe Book:Philosophical Investigations Source: Philosophical Investigations
“It is not possible, for a poet, writing in any language, to protect himself from the tragic elements in human life.... [ellipsis in source] Illness, old age, and death--subjects as ancient as humanity--these are the subjects that the poet must speak of very nearly from the first moment that he begins to speak.” LifeWritingFirstsHumansMomentsAgePoetryHumanitySpeakLanguageSubjectsPoetSourceProtectElementsTragedyAncientIllnessOld AgeHuman LifeTragic Author:Louise Bogan
“If possible, be Russian. And live in another country. Play chess. Be an active trader between languages. Carry precious metals from one to the other. Remind us of Stravinsky. Know the names of plants and flying creatures. Hunt gauzy wings with snares of gauze. Make science pay tribute. Have a butterfly known by your name.” IfsKnowsLifeCountryPlayNamesLanguagePayKnownCreaturesWingsPlantActiveChessFlyingMetalsButterflyHuntsTributeTradersSnaresStravinskyPrecious Metal Author:Vladimir Nabokov