1 We must not be frightened nor cajoled into accepting evil as deliverance from evil. -Robert Hayden
The only way to be free from evil is to reject evil. The idea of choosing the lesser evil never works. No matter how tempting it may seem, always choose good over evil.
2 Art is not escape, but a way of finding order in chaos, a way of confronting life. -Robert Hayden
Art isn’t supposed to be an escape from reality. It is a way of finding order in the chaos of life. It is a way of confronting and accepting reality.
3 I believe it’s true that one person can make a difference. But how much more difference 100 people make, or rather 99. -Robert Hayden
Surely one person can make a difference, as can be seen in history. But a number of people can make a much larger difference if they stand together for something that they believe in.
4 This freedom, this liberty, this beautiful and terrible thing, needful to man as air, usable as earth. -Robert Hayden
Freedom is the essence of human life. Is it even living if you don’t have the freedom to live your life the way you want to.
5 We must go on struggling to be human, though monsters of abstractions police and threaten us. -Robert Hayden
No matter how threatening evil may seem, never let go of your principles. Struggle to be human and stick to your values.
6 Writing a poem is always a process of discovery. -Robert Hayden
Poetry is a way of discovery not just for the reader but also for the poet. He has to confront reality and deal with concepts that he may have hid from his entire life. Poetry brings things to perspective for one.
7 I will no longer ask for more than you have freely given or can give. -Robert Hayden
When you ask someone for something, you are always at their mercy. Avoid asking someone for something more than they can give.
8 All art is pain suffered and outlived. -Robert Hayden
The best kind of art is that which arises from a place of pain and suffering. Art is a way for the artist to outlive and confront his suffering.
9 What did I know, what did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices? -Robert Hayden
Love is always mysterious and full of surprises. And one of the biggest surprises it has in store for us is the loneliness and pain that it brings which is often overlooked by all those who romanticise love.
10 My poetry is a way of coming to grips with reality, a way of discovery and definition. It is a way of solving for the unknowns. -Robert Hayden
Poetry is a way of coming to terms and accepting reality for many. Sometimes, reality can be so painful that one needs help from something larger than life to help them through it. Poetry and art does it beautifully.
10 Most Profound Robert Hayden Quotes That Will Make You Think
1. We must not be frightened nor cajoled into accepting evil as deliverance from evil. -Robert Hayden
2. Art is not escape, but a way of finding order in chaos, a way of confronting life. -Robert Hayden
3. I believe it’s true that one person can make a difference. But how much more difference 100 people make, or rather 99. -Robert Hayden
4. This freedom, this liberty, this beautiful and terrible thing, needful to man as air, usable as earth. -Robert Hayden
5. We must go on struggling to be human, though monsters of abstractions police and threaten us. -Robert Hayden
6. Writing a poem is always a process of discovery. -Robert Hayden
7. I will no longer ask for more than you have freely given or can give. -Robert Hayden
8. All art is pain suffered and outlived. -Robert Hayden
9. What did I know, what did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices? -Robert Hayden
10. My poetry is a way of coming to grips with reality, a way of discovery and definition. It is a way of solving for the unknowns. -Robert Hayden