Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. Leonard Cohen ashburnevidence Change image and share on social
As a young man, Yeats spoke to me in a way I could understand. Shakespeare I couldn't understand, but Yeats I could. It was his subject matter and also I really admired the way he put his personal life on the line. Leonard Cohen admirelifeline share on social
Out of the thousands who are known or who want to be known as poets, maybe one or two are genuine and the rest are fakes, hanging around the sacred precincts, trying to look like the real thing. Leonard Cohen fakegenuinehang Change image and share on social
Let judges secretly despair of justice: their verdicts will be more acute. Let generals secretly despair of triumph; killing will be defamed. Let priests secretly despair of faith: their compassion will be true. Leonard Cohen acutecompassiondefame share on social
I read with some amusement my reputation as a ladies' man. My friends are amused by that, too, because they know my life. Leonard Cohen amuseamusementfriend Change image and share on social
We're always experiencing joy or sadness. But there are lots of people who've closed down. And there are times in one's life when one has to close down just to regroup. Leonard Cohen closeexperiencehave Change image and share on social
I always thought that poetry is the verdict that others give to a certain kind of writing. So to call yourself a poet is a kind of dangerous description. It's for others; it's for others to use. Leonard Cohen calldangerousdescription Change image and share on social