Muses

Famous quotes containing the word muses:

“If with light head erect I sing,
Though all the muses lend their force,
From my poor love of anything,
The verse is weak and shallow as its source.

But if with bended neck I grope,
Listening behind me for my wit,
With faith superior to hope,
More anxious to keep back than forward it,”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

“The Muses inspire art and pretend not to notice when Mammon buys it.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)

“Because the Muses never knew their pains.
They boast their peasants’ pipes, but peasants now
Resign their pipes and plod behind the plough;”
—George Crabbe (1754–1832)