--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: he suggested I pray to the Muse get down…" description: "\"“he suggested I pray to the Muse get down on my knees and pray right there in the corner and he said he meant it literally”\" — W.S. Merwin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/w-s-merwin-2-23725_knees-pray_he-suggested-i-pray-to-the-muse-get-down_2746970.jpg" --- # he suggested I pray to the Muse get down on my knees and… ![“he suggested I pray to the Muse get down on my knees and pray right there in the corner and he said he meant it literally” quote by W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/w-s-merwin-2-23725_knees-pray_he-suggested-i-pray-to-the-muse-get-down_2746970.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/w-s-merwin-2-23725_knees-pray_he-suggested-i-pray-to-the-muse-get-down_2746970.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/w-s-merwin-2-23725_knees-pray_he-suggested-i-pray-to-the-muse-get-down_2746970.jpg) > ““he suggested I pray to the Muse get down on my knees and pray right there in the corner and he said he meant it literally”” [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A literal interpretation of prayer can be absurd, highlighting the tension between metaphor and practice. **In simple terms:** Taking prayer literally can be odd. Key Takeaway Balance metaphorical intent with practical action. Themes spirituality language literalism Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - religious practice - personal reflection Key Concepts interpretation ritual poetry Questions to Reflect On - When does literal reading hinder understanding? - How can we honor symbolic intent? A Different Perspective Literalism may miss deeper meaning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Corner Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corner-said-3070201/) [Knees Pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knees-pray-274804/) [Muse Knees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muse-knees-3070199/) [Pray Muse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pray-muse-3070198/) [Suggested Pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suggested-pray-3070200/) ## Related quotes > [“Amelia Bedelia," said Mrs. Rogers, "Christmas is just around the corner." "It is?" said Amelia Bedelia. "Which corner?" Mrs. Rogers lauhged and said, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-parish/amelia-bedelia-said-mrs-rogers-christmas-is-just-around-the-corner-it/) [Peggy Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-parish/) > [The only people without problems are in cemeteries. If you don't have problems, get on your knees and pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/the-only-people-without-problems-are-in-cemeteries-if-you-don-t-have/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [Those to spend some time on their knees to pray during good times…never find it difficult to stand on their feet during bad times!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simi-ngr/those-to-spend-some-time-on-their-knees-to-pray-during-good-times/) [Simi Ngr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simi-ngr/) > [If you planted Hope today in any Hopeless Heart. If someone's Burden was Lighter because you did your part. If you caused a Laugh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/if-you-planted-hope-today-in-any-hopeless-heart-if-someone-s-burden/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) > [If life brings you down, Stop, Drop yourself to your knees and PRAY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-life-brings-you-down-stop-drop-yourself-to-your-knees-and-pray/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When we bend our knees to pray, the lord bend his ears to listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usman-ismaheel/when-we-bend-our-knees-to-pray-the-lord-bend-his-ears-to-listen/) [Usman Ismaheel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usman-ismaheel/) > [“Hands If I could tell the world just one thing It would be that we're all ok And not to worry 'cause worry is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/hands-if-i-could-tell-the-world-just-one-thing-it-would-be-that-we-re/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [I don't go to church on Sunday, don't get on my knees to pray, or memorize the books of the Bible, I got my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-waits/i-don-t-go-to-church-on-sunday-don-t-get-on-my-knees-to-pray-or/) [Tom Waits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-waits/) > [“Cheer up, love. Have faith it will get better, and if it don’t, well darlin’ that is what your knees are for. Pray pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-megan-varnadore/cheer-up-love-have-faith-it-will-get-better-and-if-it-don-t-well/) [Jennifer Megan Varnadore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-megan-varnadore/) > [Every time you get on your knees and pray to God, 'Holy' keeps the respect and reverence while 'Father' brings Him close & intimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/every-time-you-get-on-your-knees-and-pray-to-god-holy-keeps-the/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Karla wasn’t the religious type, but with certain men she was willing to get down on her knees and pray.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-j-lawless/karla-wasn-t-the-religious-type-but-with-certain-men-she-was-willing/) [M.J. Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-j-lawless/) > [Never be too proud to get down on your knees and pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-be-too-proud-to-get-down-on-your-knees-and-pray/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I get down on my knees, it is not to pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-get-down-on-my-knees-it-is-not-to-pray/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/get-on-your-knees-and-pray-then-get-on-your-feet-and-work/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Every night I get down on my knees and pray that Dennis Kucinich will burst into flames.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-beck/every-night-i-get-down-on-my-knees-and-pray-that-dennis-kucinich-will/) [Glenn Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-beck/) ## More by W.S. Merwin > [“…Preserve my eyes, which are irreplaceable. Preserve my heart, veins, bones, Against the slow death building in them like hornets until the place is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/preserve-my-eyes-which-are-irreplaceable-preserve-my-heart-veins/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“all these years I have looked through your limbs to the river below and the roofs and the night and you were the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/all-these-years-i-have-looked-through-your-limbs-to-the-river-below/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“I have no way of telling what I miss I am the only one who misses it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/i-have-no-way-of-telling-what-i-miss-i-am-the-only-one-who-misses-it/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [ “The thing that makes poetry different from all other arts \[is that\] you're using language, which is what you use for everything else--telling lies… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/the-thing-that-makes-poetry-different-from-all-other-arts-is-that-you/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“A BIRTHDAY Something continues and I don't know what to call it though the language is full of suggestions in the way of language…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/a-birthday-something-continues-and-i-don-t-know-what-to-call-it/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“October" I remember how I would say, “I will gather These pieces together, Any minute now I will make A knife out of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/october-i-remember-how-i-would-say-i-will-gather-these-pieces/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“...The silence of a place where there were once horses is a mountain and I have seen by lightning that ever mountain once fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/the-silence-of-a-place-where-there-were-once-horses-is-a-mountain-and/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“In my youth I believed in somewhere else I put my faith in travel now I am becoming my own tree”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/in-my-youth-i-believed-in-somewhere-else-i-put-my-faith-in-travel-now/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“How beautiful you must be to have been able to lead me this far with only the sound of your going away”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/how-beautiful-you-must-be-to-have-been-able-to-lead-me-this-far-with/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“I turned to the room and in the light from the street beheld one beautiful bare breast of a friend's friend gently rising and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/i-turned-to-the-room-and-in-the-light-from-the-street-beheld-one/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“…Let all lights but yours be nothing to me. Let the memory of tongues not unnerve me so that I stumble or quake. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/let-all-lights-but-yours-be-nothing-to-me-let-the-memory-of-tongues/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“Tell me what you see vanishing and I will tell you who you are”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/tell-me-what-you-see-vanishing-and-i-will-tell-you-who-you-are/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“where will the meanings be when the words are forgotten will I see again where you are”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/where-will-the-meanings-be-when-the-words-are-forgotten-will-i-see/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“...Yes, now the roads themselves are shattered As though they had fallen from a height, and the sky Is cracked like varnish. Hard to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/yes-now-the-roads-themselves-are-shattered-as-though-they-had-fallen/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) > [“Place" On the last day of the world I would want to plant a tree what for not the fruit the tree that bears…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/place-on-the-last-day-of-the-world-i-would-want-to-plant-a-tree-what/) [W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) [Explore all 25 W.S. Merwin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/) ## More Knees Pray quotes > [The only people without problems are in cemeteries. If you don't have problems, get on your knees and pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/the-only-people-without-problems-are-in-cemeteries-if-you-don-t-have/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/get-on-your-knees-and-pray-then-get-on-your-feet-and-work/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [When I get down on my knees, it is not to pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-get-down-on-my-knees-it-is-not-to-pray/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Never be too proud to get down on your knees and pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-be-too-proud-to-get-down-on-your-knees-and-pray/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Karla wasn’t the religious type, but with certain men she was willing to get down on her knees and pray.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-j-lawless/karla-wasn-t-the-religious-type-but-with-certain-men-she-was-willing/) [M.J. Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-j-lawless/) > [Every time you get on your knees and pray to God, 'Holy' keeps the respect and reverence while 'Father' brings Him close & intimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/every-time-you-get-on-your-knees-and-pray-to-god-holy-keeps-the/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Cheer up, love. Have faith it will get better, and if it don’t, well darlin’ that is what your knees are for. Pray pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-megan-varnadore/cheer-up-love-have-faith-it-will-get-better-and-if-it-don-t-well/) [Jennifer Megan Varnadore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-megan-varnadore/) > [I don't go to church on Sunday, don't get on my knees to pray, or memorize the books of the Bible, I got my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-waits/i-don-t-go-to-church-on-sunday-don-t-get-on-my-knees-to-pray-or/) [Tom Waits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-waits/) > [“Hands If I could tell the world just one thing It would be that we're all ok And not to worry 'cause worry is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/hands-if-i-could-tell-the-world-just-one-thing-it-would-be-that-we-re/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [When we bend our knees to pray, the lord bend his ears to listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usman-ismaheel/when-we-bend-our-knees-to-pray-the-lord-bend-his-ears-to-listen/) [Usman Ismaheel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usman-ismaheel/) > [If life brings you down, Stop, Drop yourself to your knees and PRAY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-life-brings-you-down-stop-drop-yourself-to-your-knees-and-pray/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you planted Hope today in any Hopeless Heart. If someone's Burden was Lighter because you did your part. If you caused a Laugh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/if-you-planted-hope-today-in-any-hopeless-heart-if-someone-s-burden/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) > [Those to spend some time on their knees to pray during good times…never find it difficult to stand on their feet during bad times!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simi-ngr/those-to-spend-some-time-on-their-knees-to-pray-during-good-times/) [Simi Ngr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simi-ngr/) > [Every night I get down on my knees and pray that Dennis Kucinich will burst into flames.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-beck/every-night-i-get-down-on-my-knees-and-pray-that-dennis-kucinich-will/) [Glenn Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-beck/) > [Let's get on our knees and pray. I don't know to whom. Is there a patron saint of ballistics gel?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-savage/let-s-get-on-our-knees-and-pray-i-don-t-know-to-whom-is-there-a/) [Adam Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-savage/) [Browse all 22 Knees Pray quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knees-pray-274804/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“he suggested I pray to the Muse get down on my knees and pray right there in the corner and he said he meant it literally”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "W.S. Merwin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/he-suggested-i-pray-to-the-muse-get-down-on-my-knees-and-pray-right/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Knees Pray" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/he-suggested-i-pray-to-the-muse-get-down-on-my-knees-and-pray-right/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/w-s-merwin-2-23725_knees-pray_he-suggested-i-pray-to-the-muse-get-down_2746970.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/w-s-merwin-2-23725_knees-pray_he-suggested-i-pray-to-the-muse-get-down_2746970.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/w-s-merwin-2-23725_knees-pray_he-suggested-i-pray-to-the-muse-get-down_2746970.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“he suggested I pray to the Muse get down on my knees and pray right there in the corner and he said he meant…” — W.S. Merwin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "W.S. Merwin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin-2/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“he suggested I pray to the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/he-suggested-i-pray-to-the-muse-get-down-on-my-knees-and-pray-right/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin-2/he-suggested-i-pray-to-the-muse-get-down-on-my-knees-and-pray-right/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```