Children Quote by William Butler Yeats
““Children play at being great and wonderful people, at the ambitions they will put away for one reason or another before they grow into ordinary men and women. Mankind as a whole had a like dream once; everybody and nobody built up the dream bit by bit, and the ancient story-tellers are there to make us remember what mankind would have been like, had not fear and the failing will and the laws of nature tripped up its heels. The Fianna and their like are themselves so full of power, and they are set in a world so fluctuating and dream-like, that nothing can hold them from being all that the heart desires." from a preface to Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Augusta Gregory””
About This Quote
Source Preface: Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Augusta Gregory, 1910
Dreams of greatness fade as ordinary life takes over; mythic heroes embody lost aspirations and the struggle against fear and limits.
In simple terms: Greatness fades, myths keep forgotten dreams alive.
Key Takeaway
Remember the power of myth to inspire purpose.
Themes
myth
aspiration
human nature
loss
hope
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- teaching
- cultural analysis
Key Concepts
heroic archetype
collective unconscious
existential longing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance mythic inspiration with realistic goals?
- What modern "Fianna" do we need today?
A Different Perspective
Myths can romanticize struggle, ignoring practical constraints.
