Dylan Thomas is now as much a case history as a chapter in the history of poetry.

— Seamus Heaney

Even if the hopes you started out with are dashed, hope has to be maintained.

— Seamus Heaney

Fate goes ever as fate must.

— Seamus Heaney

He sits, strong and blunt as a Celtic cross, Clearly used to silence and an armchair: Tonight the wife and children will be quiet At slammed door and smoker's cough in the hall.

— Seamus Heaney

History says, Don’t hope On this side of the grave, But then, once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme

— Seamus Heaney

I can't think of a case where poems changed the world, but what they do is they change people's understanding of what's going on in the world.

— Seamus Heaney

I credit poetry for making this space-walk possible.

— Seamus Heaney

I don't think my intelligence is naturally analytic or political.

— Seamus Heaney

If poetry and the arts do anything, they can fortify your inner life, your unwariness.

— Seamus Heaney

If you have the words, there's always a chance that you'll find the way.

— Seamus Heaney