Book Quote by William Butler Yeats
““When you are old and grey and full of sleep And nodding by the fire, take down this book, And slowly read, and dream of the soft look Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Old Age, William Butler Yeats, 1899
The poet invites an older self to revisit a book, read slowly, and dream of youthful eyes and deep shadows, evoking nostalgia and reflection on aging.
In simple terms: An older person should reread and dream of youthful love.
Key Takeaway
Embrace memory and gentle reflection in later years.
Themes
aging
memory
nostalgia
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- elderly reflection
- literary analysis
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
time
identity
beauty
Questions to Reflect On
- What comforts do we find in revisiting the past?
- How does memory shape our sense of self?
A Different Perspective
May romanticize aging without addressing its hardships.
