Ellen Bass Quotes

Powerful Ellen Bass for Daily Growth

About Ellen Bass

Ellen Bass (born April 16, 1947) is an acclaimed American poet and teacher, renowned for her powerful, emotionally resonant, and deeply human verse. Born in Long Beach, California, Bass grew up in a Jewish family with a strong sense of social justice. This upbringing significantly influenced her writing, which often explores themes of identity, relationships, and the human condition. Bass earned her Bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University in 1969 and later received her Master's degree in English Literature from Indiana University in 1972. She began teaching at California State University, Fresno, where she has remained a Professor Emerita since her retirement in 2015. Bass's poetry career took off with the publication of her first book, "Groove Poems," in 1976. This was followed by several other collections, including "The Human Line" (1986), which won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry. One of her most celebrated works is "Like a Beggar" (1995), which delves into themes of love, loss, and survival. In 2005, Bass co-authored with poet Lucia Perillo the groundbreaking book "Free Verse: A Mindful Exploration of a Poetic Form," a guide to the practice of writing and teaching free verse poetry. Her latest collection, "Indigo" (2014), showcases her ability to tackle complex themes with sensitivity and grace. Bass's work has been widely anthologized, appearing in numerous publications such as Best American Poetry, The Pushcart Prize Anthology, and The Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry. Her poems are also set to music and performed by various artists around the world. Bass continues to be a significant figure in contemporary poetry, her work touching readers with its honesty, vulnerability, and unwavering humanity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The more I open my heart to love, the more I have to love with."

This quote implies that as one grows more receptive to love and emotional connection, their capacity for love expands proportionately. In other words, the more we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and open to receiving love, the more potential there is for us to give love back, fostering a continuous cycle of growth and empathy.


"Love is what we're doing when the lengths we would go for each other exceed the everyday rationality of our lives."

This quote by Ellen Bass suggests that love transcends ordinary reasoning and practicality, extending beyond what is normally expected or required in daily life. Love is demonstrated not just through actions convenient or logical, but through extraordinary efforts, going to lengths far exceeding the norm, to support, care for, and prioritize another person's well-being above one's own. This profound commitment and selflessness are defining characteristics of genuine love.


"The human heart is the most amazing machine that nature has produced - it's so well-made it's going to keep on ticking even if you have done your best to destroy it."

This quote by Ellen Bass emphasizes the resilience and enduring nature of the human spirit, symbolized by the heart. Despite our attempts to damage or hurt ourselves emotionally, physically, or psychologically, our hearts, representing our inner strength and capacity for love, continue to function. The phrase "so well-made" highlights the inherent power and fortitude within us that allows us to overcome adversity and keep moving forward. It encourages hope and resilience in the face of difficulty and underscores the human ability to heal and grow even in the most challenging circumstances.


"Nurturing the spirit of compassion, love and understanding can help us bridge great divides."

This quote by Ellen Bass emphasizes the power of empathy, compassion, love, and understanding in overcoming conflicts and differences among individuals or groups. By fostering these positive emotions, we can build bridges across seemingly insurmountable barriers and promote harmony and unity. It suggests that by focusing on the shared human values of compassion, love, and understanding, we can transcend our divisions and work towards a more peaceful and inclusive society.


"The world will be changed by artists, for in their vision they see what others cannot, and because of their dreams, they lead."

This quote emphasizes the transformative power that artists hold within society. Artists possess unique visions beyond ordinary perception, and it is through this lens that they envision possibilities that others might overlook. Their creative works, whether in the form of paintings, poems, music, or other art forms, serve as guiding beacons for change by encouraging people to think differently and inspire action towards a better world. Essentially, artists act as visionary leaders who influence society through their creative and unconventional ideas.


Garrison Keillor read several of my poems on 'The Writer's Almanac' and I've heard from listeners nationally and internationally. That's one of the great gifts of email.

- Ellen Bass

Read, Listeners, Several, Internationally

So much inspires me. People living their lives with courage, beauty of all kinds, nature in all its aspects, people I love and people I hardly know, and, of course, other poets.

- Ellen Bass

Love, Living, Other, Hardly

I live in Santa Cruz. I moved here in 1974 and couldn't leave.

- Ellen Bass

Here, Leave, Moved, Cruz

I think many people love poetry who don't know they love it. People are sometimes afraid of poetry, or they've been introduced to poetry that doesn't speak to them.

- Ellen Bass

Love, Think, Been, Introduced

Poetry is the most intimate of all writing. I want to speak first from me to myself and then from me to you.

- Ellen Bass

Myself, Want, Then, Intimate

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.