Natalie Clifford Barney Quotes

Powerful Natalie Clifford Barney for Daily Growth

About Natalie Clifford Barney

Natalie Clifford Barney (1876-1972), an influential American-French writer, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA on October 31, 1876. Known for her salon culture, Barney spent most of her life in Paris, where she became a central figure in the literary and artistic world of the early 20th century. Barney's family moved to Paris when she was five years old. She was educated privately due to her father's belief that public schools were not suitable for girls. At an early age, Barney discovered her passion for writing and literature. Her works often reflected feminist, lesbian, and humanitarian themes, reflecting her progressive views on gender and sexuality. In 1909, Barney founded the legendary salon "La Maison de la Relique" in Paris. It was a gathering place for artists, writers, and intellectuals, including Djuna Barnes, Rainer Maria Rilke, Radclyffe Hall, and Colette. These regular meetings inspired her to publish a literary review titled "La Revue de l'An 2000," which focused on the representation of women and homosexuality in literature. Barney authored several influential works throughout her life. Notable among them are "Aventures de l'esprit" (1907), a collection of short stories, and "Mémoires d'Hadrian" (1921), an epic poem that explores homosexual love in the context of ancient Rome. Barney also wrote plays, most notably "Vénus et Psyche," which premiered at her salon in 1902. Despite facing numerous challenges as a woman writer and a lesbian in a male-dominated society, Barney's work and influence continue to resonate today. She died in Paris on February 7, 1972, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that shaped modern feminist thought and queer culture.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I have no country, I am the country of all."

This quote suggests that Natalie Clifford Barney viewed herself as a global citizen, transcending geographical boundaries and embracing humanity as a whole. She identified less with any specific nation or culture, but rather saw herself as a collective embodiment of all people and their diversity. In essence, she considered her identity to be intertwined with the world at large, not limited by borders or nationalities.

"The universe is a combination of two words - "You're" and "Universe". You are the universe."

This quote by Natalie Clifford Barney suggests a profound unity between the individual self ("you") and the vast cosmos (the "universe"). It implies that each person carries within them a part of the infinite, interconnected whole that is the universe, much like how "you're" combines "you" and "are," symbolizing the merging of the individual with something greater than themselves. In essence, Barney posits that we are all intrinsically connected to the cosmos, and each of us embodies a unique yet essential aspect of the universe itself.

"Passion is the essential flame of human existence."

This quote emphasizes that passion is a fundamental aspect of being human. Passion, in this context, represents an intense, driving emotion that ignites our actions and gives life its purpose and vitality. It's a source of motivation and inspiration, fueling us to pursue what truly matters to us. In essence, passion is the spark that brings our existence alive with meaning and energy.

"Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction."

This quote by Natalie Clifford Barney emphasizes that shared experiences and mutual goals form a deeper bond in a relationship, rather than mere physical attraction or admiration. It suggests that true love is found when two individuals align their interests, aspirations, and perspectives, and move forward together towards a common vision or purpose. In essence, it's about growing and exploring life's mysteries side by side, as opposed to focusing solely on each other.

"I was never a woman, I was always a poetess."

This quote by Natalie Clifford Barney signifies that she viewed her identity not primarily as a woman but as a poetess, emphasizing the creative aspect of her personality over her gender. It suggests that for her, the role of an artist was more defining than being a woman, and she identified herself through her artistic expression rather than societal expectations or norms associated with femininity.

Fatalism is the lazy man's way of accepting the inevitable.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Man, Lazy, Inevitable, Accepting

How many inner resources one needs to tolerate a life of leisure without fatigue.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Fatigue, How, Needs, Tolerate

Why grab possessions like thieves, or divide them like socialists when you can ignore them like wise men?

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Wise Men, Like, Socialists, Grab

When you're in love you never really know whether your elation comes from the qualities of the one you love, or if it attributes them to her; whether the light which surrounds her like a halo comes from you, from her, or from the meeting of your sparks.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Love, Elation, Your, Attributes

Entrepreneurship is the last refuge of the trouble making individual.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Making, Individual, Last, Entrepreneurship

Renouncement: the heroism of mediocrity.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Mediocrity, Heroism

If we keep an open mind, too much is likely to fall into it.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Mind, Fall, Likely, Open Mind

Time engraves our faces with all the tears we have not shed.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Time, Tears, Shed, Faces

There are intangible realities which float near us, formless and without words; realities which no one has thought out, and which are excluded for lack of interpreters.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Thought, Intangible, Which, Near

Most virtue is a demand for greater seduction.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Virtue, Seduction, Most, Greater

Would that well-thinking people should be replaced by thinking ones.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

People, Should, Would, Replaced

The advantage of love at first sight is that it delays a second sight.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Love, Sight, Advantage, Delays

To be one's own master is to be the slave of self.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Self, Own, Slave, Master

Lovers should also have their days off.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Days, Should, Also, Lovers

Youth is not a question of years: one is young or old from birth.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Question, Young, Old, Birth

It is time for dead languages to be quiet.

- Natalie Clifford Barney

Time, Dead, Languages, Quiet

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