George William Russell quotes

George William Russell was an Irish writer, poet, and artist associated with the Irish Literary Revival. A key figure in Ireland's cultural and spiritual renaissance, he was also known by the pseudonym "Æ." He played a vital role in Irish art, literature, and social reform movements. Here are 150 of his quotes:

When steam first began to pump and wheels go round at so many revolutions per minute, what are called business habits were intended to make the life of man run in harmony with the steam engine, and his movement rival the train in punctuality. (George William Russell)
We may fight against what is wrong, but if we allow ourselves to hate, that is to insure our spiritual defeat and our likeness to what we hate. View quote
George William Russell
Seek on earth what you have found in heaven. View quote
George William Russell
After the spiritual powers, there is no thing in the world more unconquerable than the spirit of nationality. ... The spirit of nationality in Ireland will persist even though the mightiest of material powers be its neighbor. View quote
George William Russell
In ancient shadows and twilightsWhere childhood had strayed,The world's great sorrows were bornAnd its heroes were made.In the lost boyhood of JudasChrist was betrayed. View quote
George William Russell
A young man who had been troubling society with impalpable doctrines of a new civilization which he called "the Kingdom of Heaven" had been put out of the way; and I can imagine that believer in material power murmuring as he went homeward, "it will all blow over now." Yes. The wind from the Kingdom of Heaven has blown over the world, and shall blow for centuries yet. View quote
George William Russell
We are tired who follow after fantasy and truth that flies: You with only look and laughter stain our hearts with richest dyes. View quote
George William Russell
When the breath of twilight blows to flame the misty skies, All its vaporous sapphire, violet glow, and silver gleam, With their magic flood me through the gateway of the eyes; I am one with the twilight's dream. View quote
George William Russell
The blue dusk ran between the streets; my love was winged within my mind; It left to-day and yesterday and thrice a thousand years behind. To-day was past and dead for me for from to-day my feet had run Through thrice a thousand years to walk the ways of ancient Babylon. View quote
George William Russell
Now the quietude of earth Nestles deep my heart within; Friendships new and strange have birth Since I left the city's din. View quote
George William Russell
The wonder of the world is o'er: The magic from the sea is gone: There is no unimagined shore, No islet yet to venture on. The Sacred Hazels' blooms are shed, The Nuts of Knowledge harvested. (George William Russell)
What of all the will to do? It has vanished long ago, For a dream-shaft pierced it through From the Unknown Archer's bow. View quote
George William Russell
Here's to you, men I never met, Yet hope to meet behind the veil, Thronged on some starry parapet, That looks down upon Innisfail, And sees the confluence of dreams That clashed together in our night, One river, born from many streams, Roll in one blaze of blinding light. View quote
George William Russell
For beauty called to beauty and there thronged at the enchanter's will The vanished hours of love that burn within the Ever-living still. View quote
George William Russell
Something you see in me I wis not: Another heart in you I guess: A stranger's lips - but thine I kiss not, Erring in all my tenderness. View quote
George William Russell
Aye, and deep and deep and deeper let me drink and draw, From the olden fountain more than light or peace or dream, Such primeval being as o'erfills the heart with awe, Growing one with its silent stream. View quote
George William Russell
Love's immortality so blind Dreams that all things with it conjoined Must share with it immortal day: But not of this-but not of this- The touch, the eyes, the laugh, the kiss, Fall from it and it goes its way. View quote
George William Russell
He said, 'The royal robe I wear Trails all along the fields of light: Its silent blue and silver bear For gems the starry dust of night.' 'The breath of joy unceasingly Waves to and fro its folds starlit, And far beyond earth's misery I live and breathe the joy of it. View quote
George William Russell
Drink: the immortal waters quench the spirit's longing. Art thou not now, bright one, all sorrow past, in elation, Made young with joy, grown brother-hearted with the vast, Whither thy spirit wending flits the dim stars past Unto the Light of Lights in burning adoration. View quote
George William Russell
Twilight, a timid, fawn, went glimmering by, and Night, the dark-blue hunter, followed fast. View quote
George William Russell
I thought, beloved, to have brought to you A gift of quietness and ease and peace, Cooling your brow as with the mystic dew Dropping from twilight trees. Homeward I go not yet; the darkness grows; Not mine the voice to still with peace divine: From the first fount the stream of quiet flows Through other hearts than mine. Yet of my night I give to you the stars, And of my sorrow here the sweetest gains, And out of hell, beyond its iron bars, My scorn of all its pains. (George William Russell)
Well, when all is said and done Best within my narrow way, May some angel of the sun Muse memorial o'er my clay: 'Here was beauty all betrayed From the freedom of her state; From her human uses stayed On an idle rhyme to wait. View quote
George William Russell
It was the wise all-seeing soul Who counselled neither war nor peace: 'Only be thou thyself that goal In which the wars of time shall cease. View quote
George William Russell
I saw how all the trembling ages past, Moulded to her by deep and deeper breath, Neared to the hour when Beauty breathes her last And knows herself in death. View quote
George William Russell
In the fire of love we live, or pass by many ways, By unnumbered ways of dream to death. View quote
George William Russell