Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Emily Dickinson (American Poet)

Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (1830–86) was an American lyric poet. She played a leading role in redefining modern verse. She wrote 1775 short lyrics; only seven were published during her life, none with her consent.

Particulars of Dickinson’s life are as perplexing as some of her poems. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, Dickenson was vigorous, witty, and outgoing during her early years. However, in her mid-twenties, she gradually withdrew into an inner world and ultimately refused to leave her home. She lived with her unmarried sister Lavinia in “The Homestead.” Emily read voraciously and exchanged letters with a small circle of friends.

Dickinson’s reclusive life and her inner struggles are reflected in her mystical poems. She referred to herself as “The Queen of Calvary” and wrote in an elliptical language, with great stress on assonance and alliteration than rhyme. Her verse is full of references to storms, shipwrecks, volcanoes, funerals, imprisonments, and other expressions of natural and human ferocity.

Today, Dickenson’s lyrical poetry ranks among the most significant works in American literature. Poems by Emily Dickinson appeared in 1890. A complete scholarly edition of her works first appeared only in 1955. A facsimile of her manuscripts was published in The Manuscript Books of Emily Dickinson (1982.)

More: Wikipedia READ: Works by Emily Dickinson

To live is so startling, it leaves but little room for other occupations.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Living, The Present, Present, Time, Life

I like a look of Agony, because I know it’s true—men do not sham Convulsion, nor simulate, a Throe—
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Suffering

Proud of my broken heart since thou didst break it,
Proud of the pain I did not feel till thee,
Proud of my night since thou with moons dost slake it,
Not to partake thy passion, my humility.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Heart

We never know how high we are till we are called to rise. And then, if we are true to plan, our statures touch the skies.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Possibilities, Potential, Hope

Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Sympathy

If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Poets, Art, Poetry

Till I loved I never lived.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Romance

I dwell in Possibility
A fairer House than Prose
More numerous of Windows
Superior—for Doors
Of Chambers as the Cedars
Impregnable of Eye
And for an Everlasting Roof
The Gambrels of the Sky
Of Visitors—the fairest
For Occupation—This
The spreading wide my narrow Hands
To gather Paradise
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Potential

Death is a Dialogue between, the Spirit and the Dust.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Dying, Death

I measure every grief I meet with narrow, probing eyes – I wonder if it weighs like mine – or has an easier size.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Grief

I felt it shelter to speak to you.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Relationships

Beauty is not caused. It is.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Beauty, Virtues

The Gleam of an heroic act,
Such strange illumination—
The Possible’s slow fuse it lit
By the Imagination.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Imagination, Possibilities

I dwell in Possibility.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Possibilities

Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Dogs

Anger as soon as fed is dead, ’tis starving makes it fat.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Forgiveness, Anger

To wait an Hour-is long-
If Love be just beyond-
To wait Eternity-is short-
If Love reward the end
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Romance

I argue thee that love is life. And life hath immortality.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Love

A mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Mothers

Saying nothing… sometimes says the most.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Silence, Communication

I hope you love birds, too. It is economical. It saves going to Heaven.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Birds

The abdication of belief makes the behavior small—better an ignis fatuus than no illume at all.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Belief

Prayer is the little implement through which men reach; where presence is denied them.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Prayer

Superiority to fate is difficult to gain; ’tis not conferred of any, but possible to earn.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Fortune, Luck

‘Tis so much joy! ‘Tis so much joy! If I should fail, what poverty! And yet, as poor as I Have ventured all upon a throw; Have gained! Yes! Hesitated so this side the victory!
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Joy, Excitement

The past is not a package one can lay away.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Past

Let us go in; the fog is rising.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Death, Dying

Luck is not chance—
It’s Toil—
Fortune’s expensive smile
Is earned—
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Luck, Fortune

Faith is a fine invention
When gentlemen can see,
But microscopes are prudent
In an emergency.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Reality

To fight aloud is very brave, but gallanter, I know, who charge within the bosom, the Cavalry of Woe.
Emily Dickinson
Topics: Sorrow, Sadness

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