Sunday, December 4, 2011

Thought for the Day

. . . there are a few things everyone can humbly try to hold
onto: love and mercy (and humor) in everyday living; 
the quest for exact truth in language
 and affairs of the intellect; self-recollection or prayer; 
and the peace, the composed energy of art.
~ Robert Fitzgerald
_______________________________

Quoted in Herbert Mitgang Obituary for Robert Fitzgerald, The New York Times, January 17, 1985

Robert Fitzgerald (1910-1985), Poet, Translator, Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (1984-1985)


Edwin Honig Interview with Robert Fitzgerald at Poets.org 

5 comments:

Ruth said...

How did it take so long for me to discover the humor of myself. This is such a mercy, to be released from perfection.

Louise Gallagher said...

Beautiful quote.

I love -- and the peace, the composed energy of art.

My Advent Prayer is about peace today.

Charley said...

An effective antidote to the malaise likely to set in when absolute control over one's path in life is revealed to be an illusion.

Anonymous said...

Ah...an Illinois boy :-)

S. Etole said...

Between this and your poem for today, I'm as always ... pondering.

The egg tempera painting is quietly haunting.