Inspirational Quotes by Marianne Moore (American Poet)

Marianne Moore (1887–1972) was an American modernist poet and critic renowned for her innovative and precise language. She delved into the intersections of nature, art, and human experience, distilling moral and intellectual insights.

Born in Kirkwood, Missouri, Moore graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1909 as biology major. Following this, she studied and taught commercial subjects at the U. S. Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Her initial foray into publishing occurred in 1915 in the Egoist and Harriet Monroe’s Poetry magazine.

Early acclaim greeted Moore with works like Poems (1921) and Observations (1924,) highlighting her unique voice and meticulous attention to detail. The 1951 collection, Collected Poems, secured her the Pulitzer Prize, establishing her as a prominent figure in American poetry.

Beyond her poetic prowess, Moore’s critical acumen shone in her prose works such as Predilections (1955) and A Marianne Moore Reader (1961,) providing readers with deeper insights into her poetic philosophy.

Residing in New York City for much of her life, Moore worked at the New York Public Library and served as an editor at The Dial magazine. Recognizable for her eccentric attire and tricorn hat, she became an iconic figure in literary circles. Additionally, she published a translation of The Fables of La Fontaine (1954,) a volume of critical papers, Predilections (1955,) and Idiosyncrasy and Technique: Two Lectures (1958.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Marianne Moore

A writer is unfair to himself when he is unable to be hard on himself.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Authors & Writing

As contagion of sickness makes sickness, contagion of trust can make trust.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Trust

It is human nature to stand in the middle of a thing.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Indecision, Decisions

Impatience is the mark of independence, not of bondage.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Independence

Poetry is all nouns and verbs.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Language

War is pillage versus resistance and if illusions of magnitude could be transmuted into ideals of magnanimity, peace might be realized.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Peace

Originality is … a by-product of sincerity.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Originality

We are suffering from too much sarcasm.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Criticism, Critics

The passion for setting people right is in itself an afflictive disease.
—Marianne Moore

My father used to say superior people never make long visits.
—Marianne Moore

You’re not free until you’ve been made captive by supreme belief.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Belief, Faith

When one cannot appraise out of one’s own experience, the temptation to blunder is minimized, but even when one can, appraisal seems chiefly useful as appraisal of the appraiser.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Judges, Judgment, Judging

The deepest feeling always shows itself in silence; not in silence, but restraint.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Feelings, Silence

Egotism is usually subversive of sagacity.
—Marianne Moore
Topics: Ego, Egotism

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Inspirational Quotes by Marianne Moore (American Poet)

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