Ezra Pound

Poet, Critic

Ezra Pound was a pivotal modernist poet known for his innovative ideas on language and art, particularly through his influential work 'The Cantos'.

Born
October 30, 1885
Died
April 1, 1972
Quotes
216
Rank
#168

About Ezra Pound

Ezra Pound — Life and Legacy

Ezra Pound was a significant figure in the modernist movement, known for his bold experimentation with language and form. His work, particularly 'The Cantos', reflects his belief in the power of precise language to evoke emotion and convey complex ideas. Pound famously stated, 'Make it new,' which encapsulates his call for innovation in artistic expression. He challenged traditional poetic forms and sought to create a new literary language that resonated with the modern experience. Pound's core thinking revolved around the idea that art should reflect the realities of contemporary life while maintaining clarity and precision. His advocacy for imagism, which emphasized direct treatment of the subject, transformed the landscape of poetry. Through quotes like 'The poet is a lightning rod', he illustrated his belief that poets should capture the essence of their time, acting as conduits for cultural and emotional truths. Today, Pound's influence endures as his ideas continue to inspire poets and writers to explore the depths of language and art. His emphasis on innovation and clarity remains relevant, encouraging new generations to challenge conventions and redefine artistic expression.

Quote collection

Ezra Pound quotes (page 1 of 11)

216 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Ezra Pound Poet, Critic
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"The act of bell ringing is symbolic of all proselytizing religions. It implies the pointless interference with the quiet of other people."

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Ezra Pound Poet, Critic
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"The Image is more than an idea. It is a vortex or cluster of fused ideas and is endowed with energy."

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Ezra Pound Poet, Critic
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"Genius... is the capacity to see ten things where the ordinary man sees one."

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"Colloquial poetry is to the real art as the barber's wax dummy is to sculpture."

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"The only chance for victory over the brainwash is the right of every man to have his ideas judged one at a time. You never get clarity as long as you have these packaged words, as long as a word is used by twenty-five people in twenty-five different ways. That seems to me to be the first fight, if there is going to be any intellect left."

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Ezra Pound Poet, Critic
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"The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is the truth."

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Ezra Pound Poet, Critic
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"As a bathtub lined with white porcelain, When the hot water gives out or goes tepid, So is the slow cooling of our chivalrous passion, O my much praised but-not-altogether-satisfactory lady."

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"All great art is born of the metropolis."

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Ezra Pound Poet, Critic
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"'Tis the white stag, Fame, we're a-hunting, bid the world's hounds come to horn!"

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"What thou lovest well remains, the rest is dross What thou lov'st well shall not be reft from thee What thou lov'st well is thy true heritage Whose world, or mine or theirs or is it of none? First came the seen, then thus the palpable Elysium, though it were in the halls of hell. What thou lovest well is thy true heritage."

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Ezra Pound Poet, Critic
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"What thou lovest well remains, the rest is dross What thou lov’st well shall not be reft from thee What thou lov’st well is thy true heritage"

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Ezra Pound Poet, Critic
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"Real education must ultimately be limited to men who insist on knowing, the rest is mere sheep-herding."

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Ezra Pound Poet, Critic
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"The real trouble with war (modern war) is that it gives no one a chance to kill the right people."

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