Artist Quote by William Butler Yeats
“Both nuns and mothers worship images, But those the candles light are not as those That animate a mother's reveries, But keep a marble or a bronze repose.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Stolen Child” (1914)
The quote contrasts the static, material worship of images with the vivid, imaginative reverence of a mother’s inner world, suggesting true devotion lies in lived imagination rather than mere objects.
In simple terms: Worship of images is shallow compared to inner imagination.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper, personal meaning beyond symbols.
Themes
spirituality
art
imagination
family
religion
Mood
reflective
contemplative
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious rituals
- art galleries
- family storytelling
- personal meditation
Key Concepts
symbolism
psychology
mythology
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal symbols give your life meaning?
- How do you nurture inner imagination?
A Different Perspective
Symbols can become empty without personal connection.
