Class Quote by W. H. Auden

“No human being is innocent, but there is a class of innocent human actions called Games.”

W. H. Auden

About This Quote

Source Poem: “The Unknown Citizen” (1939)

Human actions can be pure even when people are flawed; games embody innocent playfulness.

In simple terms: Games are innocent actions despite human imperfection.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and value innocent play.

Themes

innocence games human nature

Mood

reflective playful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

family gatherings
team sports
board game nights
online gaming
educational play

Key Concepts

ethics play theory moral psychology

Questions to Reflect On

What innocent actions bring you joy?
How do games reflect deeper values?

A Different Perspective

Games may mask harmful competition or addiction.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2.7 out of 5 (10 ratings)

Called Games Class Class Innocent Games Human actions Human Innocent Innocent Innocent Class Innocent Human Nature of man

More by W. H. Auden

Pleasure is by no means an infallible critical guide, but it is the least fallible.

W. H. Auden

Image

Why doesn't the United States take over the monarchy and unite with England? England does have important assets. Naturally the longer you wait, the…

W. H. Auden

Image

The commonest ivory tower is that of the average man, the state of passivity towards experience.

W. H. Auden

Image

Harrow the house of the dead; look shining at New styles of architecture, a change of heart.

W. H. Auden

Image

Most poetry is the utterance of a man in some state of passion, love, joy, grief, rage, etc., and no doubt this is as…

W. H. Auden

Image

Men will pay large sums to whores for telling them they are not bores.

W. H. Auden

Image

If age, which is certainly Just as wicked as youth, look any wiser, It is only that youth is still able to believe It…

W. H. Auden

Image

“Those to whom evil is done, do evil in return”

W. H. Auden

Image

I and the public know What all schoolchildren learn, Those to whom evil is done Do evil in return.

W. H. Auden

Image

One cannot walk through an assembly factory and not feel that one is in Hell.

W. H. Auden

Image

How happy the lot of the mathematician. He is judged solely by his peers, and the standard is so high that no colleague or…

W. H. Auden

Image

Perhaps there is only one cardinal sin: impatience. Because of impatience we were driven out of Paradise, because of impatience we cannot return.

W. H. Auden

Image

Explore all 344 W. H. Auden quotes

More Class quotes

Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…

Henry Giroux

Image

If I had to guess and put a name on it, I'd say that at some point, the drug war was as much a…

David Simon

Image

I grew up in the middle class.

Anthony Scaramucci

Image

It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought…

Pope Leo XIII

Image

The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…

Bernie Sanders

Image

I certainly don't think that the heirs of the American Revolution were a particularly noble class.

H. W. Brands

Image

You’re crazy,” said her best friend, Angela, as the bell rang to signal five minutes before the first class on the first day back…

Sarah Rees Brennan

Image

“Poor people do not go on holiday; they go home.”

Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Image

Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends…

Niccolo Machiavelli

Image

Right now, for many Americans, class is being foregrounded like never before because of the economic situation. It doesn't mean that race doesn't matter,…

Bell Hooks