Eye Quote by William Butler Yeats
“Processions that lack high stilts have nothing that catches the eye. What if my great-granddad had a pair that were twenty foot high, And mine were but fifteen foot, no modern stalks upon higher, Some rogue of the world stole them to patch up a fence or a fire.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Stolen Stilted Stalks”, William Butler Yeats, 1913
The poet laments the loss of towering, striking elements, suggesting that without them, the ordinary fails to captivate.
In simple terms: Without standout features, things become unremarkable.
Key Takeaway
Seek or create distinctive, eye‑catching qualities.
Themes
art
visibility
loss
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- visual design
- fashion
- architecture
Key Concepts
aesthetics
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What “tall” elements make your work stand out?
- How do you balance uniqueness with substance?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on novelty can lead to superficiality.
