William Butler Yeats

Irish poet

Modern influential 80 sayings

Sayings by William Butler Yeats

I am certain that the soul is immortal, and that it passes through many bodies.

1913 — Reported by Lady Gregory in 'Our Irish Theatre'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have seen too many ghosts to doubt their existence.

1920s (approx) — Conversation with Stephen Gwynn, reported in 'Experiences of a Literary Man'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest thing in life is to be a fool for Christ's sake.

1915 — Letter to Robert Bridges, 1915
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I have always been attracted to the abnormal.

1922 — Autobiographies, 'The Trembling of the Veil'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I believe in magic.

1909 — Interview with The Daily Express, June 1909
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I have been so much alone that I have come to think of the dead as my companions.

1917 — Letter to Mrs. Patrick Campbell, 1917
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The dead are always about us, invisible but present.

1922 — Autobiographies, 'The Trembling of the Veil'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have seen visions and dreamed dreams, and I have believed in them all.

1926 — Autobiographies, 'Reveries Over Childhood and Youth'
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I am a very superstitious man.

1909 — Interview with The Daily Express, June 1909
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I have always been interested in what lies beyond the veil of the material world.

1901 — Essay, 'Magic'
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I have been a student of the occult for many years, and I have found much truth in it.

1892 — Letter to John O'Leary, 1892
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I believe that the dead can communicate with the living.

1913 — Reported by Lady Gregory in 'Our Irish Theatre'
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I have been haunted by spirits all my life.

1917 — Letter to Olivia Shakespear, 1917
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My imagination is my reality.

1922 — Autobiographies, 'The Trembling of the Veil'
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I have always preferred the company of mystics and madmen to that of the sane and sensible.

1930s (approx) — Reported by Frank O'Connor in 'My Father's Son'
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The soul is a living being, and it never dies.

1917 — Essay, 'Anima Mundi'
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I have seen the invisible world, and it is more real than the visible.

1926 — Autobiographies, 'Reveries Over Childhood and Youth'
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I am a man of visions.

1904 — Letter to Lady Gregory, 1904
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The world is full of spirits, and they are always trying to communicate with us.

1901 — Essay, 'Magic'
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I have lived among the dead, and I have learned much from them.

1922 — Autobiographies, 'The Trembling of the Veil'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable