Angel Quote by Charles Simic
““In the Library" for Octavio There's a book called "A Dictionary of Angels." No one has opened it in fifty years, I know, because when I did, The covers creaked, the pages Crumbled. There I discovered The angels were once as plentiful As species of flies. The sky at dusk Used to be thick with them. You had to wave both arms Just to keep them away. Now the sun is shining Through the tall windows. The library is a quiet place. Angels and gods huddled In dark unopened books. The great secret lies On some shelf Miss Jones Passes every day on her rounds. She's very tall, so she keeps Her head tipped as if listening. The books are whispering. I hear nothing, but she does.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “In the Library,” 1995
Angels, once abundant, are now hidden in forgotten books, symbolizing lost wonder and knowledge in modern life.
In simple terms: Forgotten wonders are hidden in old books.
Key Takeaway
Seek and cherish hidden knowledge.
Themes
myth
loss
knowledge
modernity
silence
Mood
nostalgic
inspired
contemplative
Type
poetic
inspirational
When to use this quote
- library visits
- reading rare books
- preserving archives
- educational curricula
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Literature
symbolism
cultural memory
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- What “angels” have you discovered in unexpected places?
- How can we keep curiosity alive today?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may romanticize the past and ignore present discoveries.
![“Some say God is living there [in space]. I was looking around very attentively, but I did not see anyone there. I did not detect either angels or gods…I don't believe in God. I believe in man - his strength, his possibilities, his reason.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/df4/anonymous-1_angel_some-say-god-is-living-there-in-space-i_2315043.jpg)
