Zbigniew Herbert



Zbigniew Herbert (29 October 1924 – 28 July 1998) was a Polish poet, playwright and essayist.

Quotes

 * And if the City falls and one survives he shall carry the City within on the roads of exile he shall be the City
 * Report from the Besieged City.


 * Jeśli tematem sztuki będzie dzbanek rozbity mała rozbita dusza z wielkim żalem nad sobą to co po nas zostanie będzie jak płacz kochanków w małym brudnym hotelu kiedy świtają tapety
 * if the subject of art will be a broken jug a small broken soul with a great self-pity what will remain of us will  be like tears of  lovers in a small dirty hotel when wallpapers dawn
 * Why the Classics.


 * Go where the others have gone, to the tenebrous limit for the golden fleece of void, your ultimate prize go upright among those who are on their knees among those turning their backs on and those fallen to dust.
 * Message of Mr. Cogito.


 * And do not forgive indeed it is beyond your power to forgive in the name of those betrayed at dawn
 * Message of Mr. Cogito.


 * You survived not to live on your time is short, you have to give a proof of truth
 * Message of Mr. Cogito.


 * Go for it is the only way to be accepted to the circle of cold skulls the circle of your forefathers: Gilgamesh Hector Roland defenders of the kingdom of no frontiers and of the city of ashes Be faithful Go
 * Message of Mr. Cogito.


 * I turn to history not for lessons but to confront my experience with the experience of others and to win for myself a sense of responsibility for the state of the human conscience.
 * Quoted by Michael Hamburger, in his book, The Truth of Poetry.

About Zbigniew Herbert

 * His poems, even in English, seem to me finer than anything currently being written by any English or American poet.
 * A.Alvarez, The New York Review of Books (1985-07-18).