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David Ferry Quotes

Powerful David Ferry for Daily Growth

About David Ferry

David Ferry is an acclaimed American poet and translator, born on February 14, 1924, in New York City. He is the son of Robert Ferro Ferry, a prominent economist, and Helen Elizabeth Johnson, a painter. Raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, Ferry's interest in poetry was nurtured from an early age. Ferry attended Yale University, where he studied English literature and poetry under John Crowe Ransom, Robert Penn Warren, and Randall Jarrell. After graduating in 1948, he worked as an editor at Houghton Mifflin Company before moving to France in the early 1960s. In France, Ferry met and was influenced by poets such as Paul Celan, Yves Bonnefoy, and Georges Perros, which significantly shaped his own poetic style. He also translated several works of these authors into English. Ferry returned to the United States in 1970 and taught at several universities including Wellesley College, Harvard University, and Dartmouth College. His first major collection of poetry, "The Limbus of the Heart," was published in 1977. The book won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry and established Ferry as a significant voice in contemporary American poetry. Other notable works include "Alfred's Field" (1992), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, and "Bewilderment: New Poems and Translations" (2012). Ferry is also renowned for his translations of Greek and Roman poetry, particularly the works of Homer. Throughout his career, David Ferry has been recognized for his intricate poetic craftsmanship, deep understanding of literary tradition, and his ability to breathe new life into classic texts. He continues to write and translate today, living in Massachusetts with his wife, the painter Mary Crewdson.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."

David Ferry's quote suggests that true exploration or discovery lies not in venturing into unknown territories, but rather in acquiring a fresh perspective, or "new eyes," to perceive the familiar world around us in novel ways. It encourages us to look beyond surface appearances and cultivate a deeper understanding of the world by challenging our preconceptions and assumptions, thus unlocking new insights and possibilities within ourselves and the environment we inhabit.

"Life is a series of small acts of kindness, one after another, and it adds up to something beautiful."

David Ferry's quote emphasizes that life's beauty is built upon numerous instances of kindness, each act serving as a brick in the construction of a more compassionate world. This perspective encourages us to view our daily interactions with empathy and generosity, understanding that every small act of kindness contributes significantly to the overall well-being of ourselves and others. By fostering an environment of empathy and kindness, we can cultivate harmony, happiness, and beauty in our shared existence.

"Love is a kind of spiritual wine that a man who does not drink it will die of thirst."

This quote suggests that love, in its truest form, is an essential nourishment for the human spirit. Just as physical thirst can lead to death if not quenched, emotional or spiritual thirst can result in a life devoid of fulfillment and joy without experiencing genuine connection with others. The "wine" symbolizes the transformative power of love, bringing warmth, color, and sweetness into one's existence.

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

This quote emphasizes the significance of friendship, where a friend serves as a source of comfort, understanding, and reminder of one's innermost feelings. When we face moments of uncertainty or struggle, our friends help us recall the beauty within ourselves by reflecting back our values and emotions in their own way. Essentially, they provide emotional support by rekindling our own spirit through shared experiences and understanding.

"The best way to predict the future is to create it."

This quote by David Ferry signifies that instead of trying to forecast or guess what the future may hold, one should actively shape it through their actions and decisions. In essence, it encourages proactivity rather than passive observation, emphasizing that individuals have the power to mold their own destiny by taking control of their circumstances and pursuing their goals diligently.

When you read something, and especially when you're reading compellingly great, that becomes part of your identity, at least while you're reading it. You become changed by reading it.

- David Ferry

Part, Read, Least, Changed

I've always been - as a teacher, as graduate student, as a student, and I think, really, as a child - I've been interested in poems, but not so much for what the take home pay is, what you might sum up from them in moral or intellectual terms or whatever, but what's in the certain lines and how lines relates to other lines.

- David Ferry

Other, Been, I Think, Graduate

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