“There is a graveyard in my poor heart – dark, heaped-up graves, from which no flowers spring.”

Good women are rarely clever and clever women are rarely good.

There is no such thing as unfortunate genius; if a man or woman is fit for work, God appoints the field.

Life is a lie, and Love a cheat.

All men are free and equal in the grave, if it comes to that.

Do not bring flowers to my grave. Bring them to someone who is yet alive.

The words ‘Here you can find perfect peace’ can be written only over the gates of a cemetery.

Politics in any country in the world is dangerous. For the poet, politics in any country had better be disguised as poetry. Politics can be the graveyard of the poet. And only poetry can be his resurrection.

Peace We passed their graves: The dead men there, Winners or losers, Did not care. In the dark They could not see Who had gained The victory.

Politics can be the graveyard of the poet. And only poetry can be his resurrection.

Being President is a little like being the grounds-keeper at a cemetery: there’s plenty of people below you but no one’s listening.

If any child of mine becomes an actor I will turn in my grave.