Poetry is not Irish or any other nationality; and when writers such as Messrs. Clarke, Farren and the late F. R. Higgins pursue Irishness as a poetic end, they are merely exploiting incidental local colour. Patrick Kavanagh clarkecolourend share on social
What appears in newspapers is often new but seldom true. Patrick Kavanagh appearnewspaperseldom Change image and share on social
Natural life, lived naturally as it is lived in the countryside, has none of that progress which is the base of happiness. Men and women in rural communities can be compared to a spring that rises out of a rock and spreads in irregular ever-widening circles. But the general principle is static. Patrick Kavanagh basecirclecommunity share on social
In its truest manifestation, where it gives judgments, poetry is super-luxury. It would be interesting to see what would happen to a High Court judge if he were forced to follow the true poetic formula, doing the job for love, being forced into pubs for relief. Patrick Kavanagh courtfollowforce share on social
Ay - 'The Green Fool' business, the libel action over the head of it - did me a lot of damage. It destroyed the momentum. Patrick Kavanagh actionbusinessdamage Change image and share on social
A poet is never one of the people. He is detached, remote, and the life of small-time dances and talk about football would not be for him. He might take part but could not belong. Patrick Kavanagh belongdancedetach Change image and share on social
There is nothing as dead and as damned as an important thing. The things that really matter are casual, insignificant little things. Patrick Kavanagh casualdamndead Change image and share on social
I want to reveal in a simple way the usual - and unusual - life of the city; the corporation workman, the busmen, policemen, the civil servants, the theatres, Moore Street and also, what occupies so large a place in Dublin's life, the literary and artistic. Patrick Kavanagh artisticbusmancity share on social
Malice is only another name for mediocrity. Patrick Kavanagh malicemediocrity Change image and share on social
How strange a thing like that happens to a man. He dabbles in something and does not realise that it is his life. Patrick Kavanagh dabblelifeman Change image and share on social