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Beauty Quote by A.E. Housman

“Oh fair enough are sky and plain, But I know fairer far: Those are as beautiful again That in the water are; The pools and rivers wash so clean The trees and clouds and air, The like on earth was never seen, And oh that I were there. These are the thoughts I often think As I stand gazing down In…” quote by A.E. Housman
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““Oh fair enough are sky and plain, But I know fairer far: Those are as beautiful again That in the water are; The pools and rivers wash so clean The trees and clouds and air, The like on earth was never seen, And oh that I were there. These are the thoughts I often think As I stand gazing down In act upon the cressy brink To strip and dive and drown; But in the golden-sanded brooks And azure meres I spy A silly lad that longs and looks And wishes he were I.””

A.E. Housman

About This Quote

Source Poem: “The Housman Collection” (attributed), early 20th century

The speaker admires distant, imagined beauty more than the immediate world, yearning to escape into an idealized realm.

In simple terms: Longing for a perfect, far‑away place.

Key Takeaway

Seek wonder beyond the familiar.

Themes

longing beauty escape imagination nature

Mood

wistalgic hopeful contemplative

Type

poetic reflective philosophical

When to use this quote

  • travel dreams
  • creative writing
  • personal reflection
  • mindful observation

Key Concepts

Romanticism idealization yearning

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the imagined perfect place represent for you?
  • How can you find beauty in the everyday?
A Different Perspective

Idealized visions may ignore present realities.

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