Emily Dickinson is one of the most beloved poets in American literature. Her unique style and intense emotion have made her work stand out in a wide range of topics, from love to death and everything in between. Her quotes are particularly well-known for their depth and insight into the human condition. This article aims to explore some of the most famous quotes from Emily Dickinson’s work and discuss how they continue to speak to us today.
About Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets in American literary history. Born on December 10th, 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was the second child of Edward and Emily Norcross Dickinson.
Her father was a prominent lawyer who served as a U.S. Congressman from 1843 to 1849. From an early age, Emily showed signs of being an independent thinker with a creative spirit.
She attended primary school until she was 15 before withdrawing from public schooling in favor of private tutoring and home study. During her formative years, Emily developed strong interests which would later manifest themselves within her work: poetry writing and natural philosophy (or science).
She read widely, including works by Sir Walter Scott and William Shakespeare as well as religious texts such as The Bible. Dickinson’s work is characterized by its remarkable ability to depict complex emotions within a few lines.
Her use of metaphor and imagery creates vivid images for readers that have made her one of America’s most beloved poets. Moreover, Dickinson’s spare yet powerful writing style influenced numerous other authors that followed in her footsteps.
Top Emily Dickinson quotes
The American poet Emily Dickinson is celebrated for her thought-provoking works that explore themes of life, death, and nature. Her words have inspired generations of readers and writers alike. In this article, we’ve gathered some of her most memorable and powerful quotes. From insightful statements about the human condition to beautiful reflections on life, these words of wisdom are sure to stay with you long after reading them.
“The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.”
“You can stay young as long as you learn.”
Staying young is something that many of us aspire to do. It’s possible to remain mentally and physically fit as you age, no matter your current age. With the right knowledge, attitude, and lifestyle choices, it’s possible to slow down the aging process and remain young at heart. Learning new information is a key element in this process; continuing to learn can help you stay young for longer.
“They might not need me, but they might. I’ll let my head be just in sight; a smile as small as mine might be precisely their necessity.”
“PHOSPHORESCENCE. Now there’s a word to lift your hat to… to find that phosphorescence, that light within, that’s the genius behind poetry.”
“A wounded deer leaps the highest.”
“I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves going to heaven.”
“Behavior is what a man does, not what he thinks, feels, or believes.”
“If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry.”
“The only Commandment I ever obeyed — ‘Consider the Lilies.”
“Fortune befriends the bold.”
“The poet lights the light and fades away. But the light goes on and on.”
“That it will never come again is what makes life sweet.”
“Until you have loved, you cannot become yourself.”
“I could not stop for death and he did not stop for me.”
Death is a mysterious and deeply personal experience that we all must face. To some, it may appear in the form of an unknown stranger, while to others it may come in the shape of a trusted friend. No matter the form, death is an inevitable part of life. In Emily Dickinson’s poem “I could not stop for Death—and He did not stop for me”, the speaker reflects on her experiences with death.
“Not knowing when the dawn will come I open every door.”
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.”
“I have an appetite for silence.”
“Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.”
“Beauty is not caused. It is.”
“We never know how high we are till we are called to rise. Then if we are true to form our statures touch the skies.”
“The brain is wider than the sky.”
From its mysteries to its complexities, the human brain is one of the most fascinating aspects of our existence. As poet Emily Dickinson expressed in her famous poem, “The Brain – is wider than the Sky -,” this organ has the potential to be limitless in its understanding and capabilities. Our brains are capable of learning, retaining knowledge, and forming strong connections with both other people and our environment.
“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.”
“The Heart wants what it wants – or else it does not care”
“I think of love, and you, and my heart grows full and warm, and my breath stands still… I can feel a sunshine stealing into my soul and making it all summer, and every thorn, a rose.”
“There is always one thing to be grateful for – that one is one’s self and not somebody else.”
“I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.”
“You don’t have to be a house to be haunted.”
“Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality..”
“Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.“
Dogs are loyal, loving companions who offer us, unconditional love. Many of us value our relationships with our canine friends more than those with other human beings. There is something special about the bond between a dog and its owner that creates a level of trust and understanding that cannot be found in any other relationship. Dogs know what we are feeling, but they don’t tell us what to do. This ability to listen without judgment makes them invaluable companions and even better than many human beings.
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – And sings the tunes without the words – And never stops at all.“
“One step at a time is all it takes to get you there.“
“We turn not older with years but newer every day.“
“If you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves. You can gain more control over your life by paying closer attention to the little things.“
“To travel far, there is no better ship than a book.“
“But Truth outlasts the Sun.”
“Saying nothing… sometimes says the most.”
“I dwell in possibility.”
“To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.”
“Bring me the sunset in a cup.”
“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it until it begins to shine.”
FAQs
she died of heart failure induced by severe hypertension (high blood pressure).
Emily was considered strange by the residents of her hometown as she took to wearing white clothing much of the time, and also for her reclusive nature.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers (1861)
Let’s Wind up…
Emily Dickinson quotes are a valuable source of insight into her life and her views on the world. They give us an opportunity to better understand the woman who wrote some of the most powerful poetry in history.
Her words have inspired generations of readers and continue to remind us of the power of literature. Emily Dickinson’s writing can teach us about self-expression, resilience, and courage in the face of adversity. Her words offer a unique perspective on life that can help us find our own peace within it.