When it comes to words of wisdom and wit, the Irish are never at a loss. Irish-born writers, artists and other prominent citizens have uttered some of the funniest and most keen insights on life, hardship and determination.
So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we take a moment to celebrate the Irish in all of us with these inspiring quotes from some of Ireland’s greatest minds.
“A life making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing at all.
“Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch, which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”
–George Bernard Shaw (playwright)
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
Oliver Goldsmith (poet)
“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.”
– Oscar Wilde (writer)
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”
–Samuel Beckett (playwright)
“The world’s a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed.”
–Sean O’Casey (playwright)
“It is the soul’s duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion.” –Rebecca West (author)
“When anyone asks me about the Irish character, I say look at the trees. Maimed, stark and misshapen, but ferociously tenacious.” –Edna O’Brien (novelist)
“I’m a firm believer in learning by heart.” –Seamus Heaney (poet)
“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.”
–William Butler Yeats (poet)
Famous Irish Blessings and Toasts:
“May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far.”
“May you both live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.”
“As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.”
“May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.”
“May you get all your wishes but one, so that you will always have something to strive for.”
“May misfortune follow you the rest of your life, and never catch up.”
“Always remember to forget the troubles that passed away. But never forget to remember the blessings that come each day.”
