William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. He co-founded the Abbey Theatre, was awarded the 1923 Nobel Prize in Literature, and his work blends Irish nationalism, symbolism, and mysticism.
Quotes by William Butler Yeats
Quotes: 4

Think Deeply, Speak Clearly to Everyone
Lead with the gist, then layer detail. Prefer concrete nouns and strong verbs. Translate jargon into everyday analogies—a blockchain as a shared notebook where each new page is locked to the last. Use examples and small numbers before tables. Invite the teach-back method: ask listeners to restate the idea in their own words to reveal gaps and refine your message. Finally, revise for rhythm; sentences that read aloud cleanly are easier to remember. These techniques are not cosmetics; they are acts of respect. Which brings us to the ethical core of Yeats’s advice. [...]
Created on: 10/3/2025

Happiness as Growth: Beyond Pleasure or Virtue
William Butler Yeats departs from traditional understandings of happiness by asserting that it is not rooted in virtue, pleasure, or any single fixed aspect of existence. Instead, he argues that happiness derives from ongoing personal growth. This perspective challenges established philosophical views—Plato’s association of happiness with virtue, for example—by relocating its source from achievement or possession to the continual process of development. [...]
Created on: 5/16/2025

Do Not Wait to Strike Till the Iron Is Hot; But Make It Hot by Striking - William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats was a prominent Irish poet and playwright. His works frequently explored themes of human effort, the passage of time, and the importance of action, reflecting his belief in the power of the human spirit. [...]
Created on: 6/19/2024

Do Not Wait to Strike Till the Iron Is Hot; but Make It Hot by Striking - William Butler Yeats
This quote emphasizes the importance of taking initiative rather than waiting for perfect conditions. It suggests that we should act to create opportunities rather than passively waiting for them to arise. [...]
Created on: 6/19/2024