ByQuotes

Edwin Arlington Robinson Quotes

Powerful Edwin Arlington Robinson for Daily Growth

About Edwin Arlington Robinson

Edwin Arlington Robinson (ERA), born on April 22, 1869, in Head Tide, Maine, was a prominent American poet whose poignant depictions of human struggle made him a significant figure in the early 20th-century literary landscape. Born into a family of modest means, Robinson spent his childhood in rural Maine, an environment that would later influence his work with its stark beauty and subtle pathos. After attending local schools, he enrolled at Brown University but was forced to leave due to financial constraints. He continued his studies at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, intending to become a doctor, but abandoned this pursuit to focus on writing. Robinson's poetry often delved into the complexities of human emotions, particularly exploring the psychological depths of his characters. His most celebrated work, "Captain Craig" (1912), is a prime example, depicting the titular character's struggle with guilt and the destructive consequences of unfulfilled ambition. In 1908, Robinson published his first collection, "The Torrent and the Night Before." However, it was his second collection, "The Children of the Night" (1914), that brought him critical acclaim. This book included the renowned poem "Richard Cory," a tale of a man admired by all who ultimately takes his own life, leaving behind a mystery and a profound sense of loss. Despite his success, Robinson struggled with alcoholism, which contributed to a tumultuous personal life. He passed away in 1935, having left an indelible mark on American poetry with his insightful portrayals of human nature and his unflinching examination of the complexities of the human condition.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone."

This quote by Edwin Arlington Robinson suggests that wealth or riches are not solely determined by material possessions, but rather by one's ability to prioritize, ignore distractions, and focus on what truly matters in life. The more a person can afford to let go of unnecessary things, the richer they become in wisdom, peace, and fulfillment.

"The rich have their pleasures and their pains as I know all too well; but the poor have nothing but their hopes."

This quote by Edwin Arlington Robinson underscores the stark contrast between the affluent and the impoverished in society. He suggests that while the rich experience pleasures (luxuries, comforts, or moments of joy) and pains (stress, hardships, or difficulties), the poor possess only their hopes as a source of solace and motivation. This implies that the hope for a better tomorrow serves as the only consolation for those who lack material possessions, indicating an unbalanced social structure where wealth and security are not equally distributed.

"Tears are rain that falls from the heart."

This quote by Edwin Arlington Robinson poetically conveys the idea that tears are like rain, a natural and emotional release originating from deep within the heart, mirroring the sorrow, sadness, or grief felt by an individual. It suggests empathy, understanding, and acknowledgement of the profound impact emotions can have on us, as well as the cathartic role that tears play in processing such feelings.

"A little tragedy in life is a good thing, and makes a man grow."

This quote suggests that adversity or hardship, often referred to as "tragedy," can be beneficial for personal growth. By experiencing and overcoming challenges, individuals may gain resilience, maturity, and wisdom, ultimately leading to their development and enhancement.

"The tears of things that are broken are bitter indeed."

This quote suggests a profound empathy for the pain and sorrow associated with loss or damage. The "things" in this context could be any object, person, relationship, or dream, which, when broken, elicits a bitter sense of sadness from their absence. It underscores the idea that destruction brings not only grief but also a unique bitterness borne out of the realization that something precious has been irretrievably lost.

He knows much of what men paint themselves would blister in the light of what they are.

- Edwin Arlington Robinson

Light, Men, Would, Blister

Youth sees too far to see how near it is To seeing farther.

- Edwin Arlington Robinson

Seeing, See, How, Near

I don't say what God is, but a name That somehow answers us when we are driven To feel and think how little we have to do With what we are.

- Edwin Arlington Robinson

Think, Answers, Feel, Driven

Love must have wings to fly away from love, and to fly back again.

- Edwin Arlington Robinson

Love, Fly, Away, Wings

She knows as well as anyone that pity, having played, soon tires.

- Edwin Arlington Robinson

She, Having, Anyone, Pity

I shall have more to say when I am dead.

- Edwin Arlington Robinson

I Am, Say, More, Shall

For when a woman is left too much alone, sooner or later she begins to think;- And no man knows what then she may discover.

- Edwin Arlington Robinson

Woman, Think, May, Discover

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.