We make out of the quarrel with others, rhetoric, but of the quarrel with ourselves, poetry.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Conflict with others leads to persuasive speech, while internal conflict leads to artistic expression.
- In plain terms
- Fighting with people makes you argue, but fighting with yourself makes you create art.
- What can you take from it?
- Internal struggle is the true source of poetry and deep creation.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What quarrel drives your art?
- Is your poetry from inside or out?
Another view
External conflict can also inspire profound art, not just internal struggle.
More from William Butler Yeats
The friends that have it I do wrong Whenever I remake a song Should know what issue is at stake, It is myself that I remake.
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Permalink to quote #10 The creations of a great writer are little more than the moods and passions of his own heart, given surnames and Christian names, and sent to walk the earth.
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