Philip Larkin Quotes

A collection of quotes by Philip Larkin.

Philip Larkin (1922-1985) was an influential English poet and novelist. Born in Coventry, England, Larkin is known for his clear and poignant observations of everyday life, love, and death. His works include the poetry collections "The Whitsun Weddings" and "High Windows," as well as the novels "Jill" and "A Girl in Winter." Larkin's distinctive style, characterized by his dry wit and precise imagery, continues to resonate with readers today. Although often seen as a reclusive figure, Larkin's impact on modern poetry remains profound.

In everyone there sleeps. A sense of life lived according to

In everyone there sleeps. A sense of life lived according to love. To some it means the difference they could make. By loving others, but across most it sweeps. As all they might have done had they been loved. That nothing cures.

Life Love Sleep

Time has transfigured them intoUntruth. The stone fidelityTh

Time has transfigured them intoUntruth. The stone fidelityThey hardly meant has come to beTheir final blazon, and to proveOur almost-instinct almost true:What will survive of us is love.

Time Death Love

They say eyes clear with age.

They say eyes clear with age.

My mother, who hates thunderstorms,Holds up each summer day

My mother, who hates thunderstorms,Holds up each summer day and shakesIt out suspiciously, lest swarmsOf grape-dark clouds are lurking there....

Sexual intercourse began in 1963 (which was rather late for

Sexual intercourse began in 1963 (which was rather late for me) -- Between the end of the Chatterley ban and the Beatles first LP.

Why should I let the toad work Squat on my life? Can't I use

Why should I let the toad work Squat on my life? Can't I use my wit as a pitchfork and drive the brute off?

Man hands on misery to man. It deepens like a coastal shelf.

Man hands on misery to man. It deepens like a coastal shelf. Get out as early as you can, and don't have any kids yourself.

Perhaps being old is having lighted rooms inside your head,

Perhaps being old is having lighted rooms inside your head, and people in them, acting. People you know, yet can't quite name.

Life has a practice of living you, if you don't live it.

Life has a practice of living you, if you don't live it.

Above all, though, children are linked to adults by the simp

Above all, though, children are linked to adults by the simple fact that they are in process of turning into them. For this they may be forgiven much. Children are bound to be inferior to adults, or there is no incentive to grow up.

Since the majority of meRejects the majority of you,Debating

Since the majority of meRejects the majority of you,Debating ends forthwith, and weDivide.