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William Blake Quotes about Life

If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell "A Memorable Fancy" plate 14 (1790 - 1793). Inspired the title of Aldous Huxley's 1954 book about drug experimentation, The Doors of Perception, which in turn inspired the name of the 1960s rock group The Doors.

Joy and woe are woven fine, A clothing for the soul divine. Under every grief and pine Runs a joy with silken twine.

William Blake (1868). “Songs of Innocence and of Experience, Showing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul”, p.98

He who desires, but acts not, breeds pestilence.

'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell' (1790-3) 'Proverbs of Hell'

The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell "Proverbs of Hell" (1790 - 1793)

What is grand is necessarily obscure to weak men. That which can be made explicit to the idiot is not worth my care.

William Blake (2008). “The Complete Poetry and Prose of William Blake”, p.702, Univ of California Press

He who binds to himself a joy Does the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in eternity's sun rise.

William Blake (2000). “The Selected Poems of William Blake”, p.6, Wordsworth Editions

For everything that lives is holy, life delights in life.

William Blake (2000). “The Selected Poems of William Blake”, p.243, Wordsworth Editions

The eagle never lost so much time as when he submitted to learn of the crow

William Blake (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of William Blake (Illustrated)”, p.203, Delphi Classics

In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.

William Blake, William Butler Yeats (1905). “Collected Poems”, p.165, Psychology Press

To Chloe's breast young Cupid slily stole, But he crept in at Myra's pocket-hole.

William Blake (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of William Blake (Illustrated)”, p.809, Delphi Classics