Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.

—William Butler Yeats

More quotations from William Butler Yeats

Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy.

—William Butler Yeats

Think where man's glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends.

—William Butler Yeats

There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met.

—William Butler Yeats

I wish people who have trouble communicating would just shut up.

—William Butler Yeats

I think you can leave the arts, superior or inferior, to the conscience of mankind.

—William Butler Yeats