Mary Oliver Quotes

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Instructions for living a life.  Pay attention.  Be astonished.  Tell about it.

In this universe we are given two gifts:  the ability to love and the ability to question.  Which are, at the same time, the fires that warm us and the fires that scorch us.

Mary Oliver (1935-2019) was a best-selling American poet, who received many honors for her work.  Her love of nature can be found in much of her writing, and it resulted in honors from the National Book Award in 1992 and Pulitzer Prize in 1984.

Mary Oliver Quotes

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May I be the tiniest nail in the house of the universe, tiny but useful.

To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.

Mary Oliver (1935-2019) was a best-selling American poet, who received many honors for her work.  Her love of nature can be found in much of her writing, and it resulted in honors from the National Book Award in 1992 and Pulitzer Prize in 1984.

Mary Oliver Quotes

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I believe in kindness.  Also in mischief.  Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.

For poems are not words, after all, but fires for the cold, ropes let down to the lost, something as necessary in the pockets of the hungry.

Mary Oliver (1935-2019) was a best-selling American poet, who received many honors for her work.  Her love of nature can be found in much of her writing, and it resulted in honors from the National Book Award in 1992 and Pulitzer Prize in 1984.

Mary Oliver Quotes

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If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate.  Give in to it.

One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began.

Mary Oliver (1935-2019) was a best-selling American poet, who received many honors for her work.  Her love of nature can be found in much of her writing, and it resulted in honors from the National Book Award in 1992 and Pulitzer Prize in 1984.

Mary Oliver Quotes

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There are a hundred paths through the world that are easier than loving.  But wants easier?

Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.

Mary Oliver (1935-2019) was a best-selling American poet, who received many honors for her work.  Her love of nature can be found in much of her writing, and it resulted in honors from the National Book Award in 1992 and Pulitzer Prize in 1984.