Jean Toomer quotes

O singers, resinous and soft your songs Above the sacred whisper of the pines, Give virgin lips to cornfield concubines, Bring dreams of Christ to dusky cane-lipped throngs. (Jean Toomer)
We learn the rope of life by untying its knots. View quote
Jean Toomer
Acceptance of prevailing standards often means we have no standards of our own. View quote
Jean Toomer
People mistake their limitations for high standards. View quote
Jean Toomer
No eyes that have seen beauty ever lose their sight. View quote
Jean Toomer
Men try to run life according to their wishes; life runs itself according to necessity. View quote
Jean Toomer
One seed becomes An everlasting song, a singing tree, Caroling softly souls of slavery, What they were, and what they are to me, Caroling softly souls of slavery. View quote
Jean Toomer
And there, a field rat, startled, squealing bleeds, His belly close to ground. I see the blade, Blood-stained, continue cutting weeds and shade. View quote
Jean Toomer
Superstition saw Something it had never seen before: Brown eyes that loved without a trace of fear, Beauty so sudden for that time of year. View quote
Jean Toomer
Fear is a noose that binds until it strangles. View quote
Jean Toomer
Talk about it only enough to do it. Dream about it only enough to feel it. Think about it only enough to understand it. Contemplate it only enough to be it. (Jean Toomer)
Most novices picture themselves as masters - and are content with the picture. This is why there are so few masters. View quote
Jean Toomer
The realization of ignorance is the first act of knowing. View quote
Jean Toomer
I am not less poet; I am more conscious of all that I am, am not, and might become. View quote
Jean Toomer