Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
One must interpret others as signals to halt chaos and resist natural forces.
In plain terms
Use others as cues to stop disorder.
What can you take from it?
Interpret signals to halt chaos.

Where it applies

  • conflict
  • decision making
  • observation

Putting it to work

  • read cues
  • resist change
  • seek signals

Questions to consider

  • What sign do you trust?
  • How do you stop the whirlwind?

Another view

Not every person is a meaningful signal to follow.

More from Wallace Stevens

  1. This was their ceremonial hymn: Anon We loved but would no marriage make. Anon The one refused the other one to take, Foreswore the sipping of the marriage win…

    Permalink to quote #156
  2. They married well because the marriage-place Was what they loved. It was neither heaven nor hell. They were love's characters come face to face.

    Permalink to quote #158
  3. We reason of these things with later reason And we make of what we see, what we see clearly And have seen, a place dependent on ourselves.

    Permalink to quote #155

Related quotes

  1. This planet is haunted by us; the other occupants just evade boredom by filling our skies and seas with monsters.

    John KeelJohn Keel quote #1
  2. The old Old winds that blew When chaos was, what do They tell the clattered trees that I Should weep?

    Adelaide CrapseyAdelaide Crapsey quote #1
  3. Disparting towers Trembling all precipitate down dash'd, Rattling around, loud thundering to the moon.

    John DyerJohn Dyer quote #3