The inward gates of a bird are always open.
It does not know how to shut them.
That is the secret of its song,
But whether any man's are ajar is doubtful.

Hugh MacDiarmid

More information about this quote

Topic

Vulnerability

Author

Hugh MacDiarmid

Source

On a Raised Beach

Medium

Poem

Statement Type

Metaphor, analogy and simile

Language

English

Time

1934 1930s 20th century

Occupation

Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Citation

MacDiarmid, Hugh. "On a Raised Beach." Stony Limits and Other Poems. Victor Gollancz, 1934.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Hugh MacDiarmid about vulnerability: “The inward gates of a bird are always open. It does not know how…”
Download
A quote by Hugh MacDiarmid about vulnerability: “The inward gates of a bird are always open. It does not know how…”
Download
A quote by Hugh MacDiarmid about vulnerability: “The inward gates of a bird are always open. It does not know how…”
Download

Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1930s

I am interested in the future because I expect to spend the rest of my life in the future.

Charles F. Kettering

More information about this quote
Topic
The future
Speaker
Charles F. Kettering
Language
English
Time
1939 1930s 20th century
Authentication Score 1
Citation

Kettering, Charles F. Spoken during a luncheon. Joint luncheon held by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the Advertising Club. July 1939, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Another quote about Vulnerability

We have to live without sympathy, don't we? That's impossible of course. We act it to one another, this hardness; but we aren't like that really. I mean... One can't be out in the cold all the time; one has to come in from the cold... Do you see what I mean?

John le Carré

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

Buy The Spy Who Came in from the Cold at Amazon Buy The Spy Who Came in from the Cold at Amazon
More information about this quote
Topic
Vulnerability
Speaker
Control

Author

John le Carré
Source
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
Medium
Novel
Genre
Spy novel Spy
Language
English
Time
1963 1960s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Carré, John le. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. Victor Gollancz & Pan, 1963, ch. 2.

Another quote of the following type Metaphor, analogy and simile

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching

Buy the Tao Te Ching at Amazon Buy the Tao Te Ching at Amazon
Read the Tao Te Ching at MIT's classics department website
More information about this quote
Topic
Patience Persistence One step at a time

Author

Lao Tzu
Source
Tao Te Ching
Genre
Philosophical literature Religious literature
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
Chinese
Time
400 BC 400s BC 5th century BC
Authentication Score 0
Original Citation

Laozi [Lao Tzu]. 道德經 [Tao Te Ching]. c. 400 BC, ch. 64.

Current Citation

Laozi [Lao Tzu]. "The Natural Way of Lao Tzu." A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy, translated by Wing-Tsit Chan. Princeton University Press, 1969, ch. 64.