Brave

To be brave is to behave
bravely when your heart is faint.
So you can be really brave
only when you really ain't.

poem by Piet Hein
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

The Ultimate Wisdom

Philosophers
must ultimately find
their true perfection

in knowing all
the follies of mankind
-by introspection.

poem by Piet Hein
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

A Maxim for Vikings

Here is a fact
that should help you fight a bit longer:
Things that don’t actually kill you outright
make you stronger.

poem by Piet Hein
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

A Word of Encouragement

Stomach-ache can be a curse;
heart-ache may be even worse;
so thank Heaven on your knees
if you've got but one of these.

poem by Piet Hein
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

About Denmark

Why not let us compromise
about Denmark's proper size,
which will truly please us all,
since it's bigger than it's small.

poem by Piet Hein
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Out of Time

My old clock used to tell the time
and subdivide diurnity;
but now its lost both hands and chime
and only tells eternity.

poem by Piet Hein
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

The Noble Art

The noble art of Losing Face
may one day save the Human Race
and turn into eternal merit
what weaker minds would call disgrace.

poem by Piet Hein
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

The Unattainable Ideal

We ought to live
each day as though
it were our last day
here below.

But if I did, alas,
I know
it would have killed me
long ago.

poem by Piet Hein
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Wanting to Be Able To

'Impossibilities' are good
not to attach that label to;
since, correctly understood,
if we wanted to, we would
be able to be able to.

poem by Piet Hein
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Making an Effort

Our so-called limitations,believe,
apply to faculties we don't apply.
We don't discover what we can't achieve
until we make an effort not to try.

poem by Piet Hein
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!