Arthur Waley Quotes

United Kingdom, Scholar
August 19, 1889 – June, 27, 1966.

Arthur David Waley CH CBE was an English orientalist and sinologist who achieved both popular and scholarly acclaim for his translations of Chinese and Japanese poetry. Among his honours were the CBE in 1952, the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1953, and he was invested as a Companion of Honour in 1956.

Since the classical language has an easy grammar and limited vocabulary, a few months should suffice for the mastering of it.

Arthur Waley
You that in far-off countries of the sky can dwell secure, look back upon me here; for I am weary of this frail world's decay.“

Arthur Waley
- World
- Weary
- Frail

A team of horses cannot overtake a word that has left the mouth.

Arthur Waley
- Word
- Horses
- Overtake
It is in general the unexplored that attracts us.

Arthur Waley
- Attracts
- Unexplored
Anything whatsoever may become the subject of a novel, provided only that it happens in this mundane life and not in some fairyland beyond our human ken.

Arthur Waley
The cypress boat is frequently a symbol of fluctuating intention.

Arthur Waley
- Boat
- Intention
- Symbol
When translating prose dialogue one ought to make the characters say things that people talking English could conceivably say. One ought to hear them talking, just as a novelist hears his characters talk.

Arthur Waley
Nothing in the world is difficult,' said the Patriarch, 'it is only our own thoughts that make things seem so.

Arthur Waley
- Thoughts
- Difficult
- Make

Real things in the darkness seem no realer than dreams.

Arthur Waley
- Real
- Dreams
- Darkness
Keep off your thoughts from things that are past and done; for thinking of the past wakes regret and pain.

Arthur Waley
- Past
- Thoughts
- Regret