DANCE QUOTES III
quotations about dance & dancing
Through dancing many matrons have lost their honor, and virgins have learned things of which it would have been better had they remained ignorant.
PLUTARCH
attributed, Day's Collacon
All dancing is now is standing in place and letting the devil of the music enter you.
JOHN UPDIKE
Rabbit is Rich
The Dance is love, it is only love, it alone, and that is enough.
ISADORA DUNCAN
attributed, The Vision of Modern Dance
I have no desire to prove anything by it. I have never used it as an outlet or a means of expressing myself. I just dance.
FRED ASTAIRE
Steps in Time
A dancer differeth from a madman only in length of time; one is mad so long as he liveth, the other while he danceth.
ALPHONSUS
attributed, Day's Collacon
To brisk notes in cadence beating
Glance their many-twinkling feet.
THOMAS GRAY
Progress of Poesy
I see dance being used as communication between body and soul, to express what is too deep to find for words.
RUTH ST. DENIS
attributed, Quote Unquote
Dance has to look like the music. If you see music simply as an accompaniment, then you don't hear it. I occupy myself with how not to interfere with the music.
GEORGE BALANCHINE
attributed, Portrait of Mr. B
Choreography is like cooking or gardening. Not like painting because painting stays. Dancing disintegrates. Like a garden. Lots of roses come up, and in the evening they're gone.
GEORGE BALANCHINE
attributed, Portrait of Mr. B
O body swayed to music, O brightening glance,
How can we know the dancer from the dance?
WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS
"Among School Children", The Tower
Dancing is the art of getting your feet out of the way faster than your partner can step on them.
EVAN ESAR
20,000 Quips & Quotes
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon.
EDWARD LEAR
The Owl and the Pussycat
Where dance is, there is the devil.
JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Homily on Matt. 48:3
There comes a pause, for human strength
Will not endure to dance without cessation;
And everyone must reach the point at length
Of absolute prostration.
LEWIS CARROLL
Four Riddles
Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.
RUMI
attributed, Dancing with Joy: 99 Poems
When an old man dances,
His locks with age are grey.
But he's a child in mind.
ANACREON
Ode XXXIX, Odes
Many children appear graceful enough until they begin to learn to dance.
S. T. COLERIDGE
attributed, Day's Collacon
Dancing is the best revenge.
!!!
Shake the Shudder
I always thought dancing improper; but it can't be since I myself am dancing.
P.L. TRAVERS
Mary Poppins
Dance, dance, every one;
The gnats round our heads dance in endless gyration;
The very worlds foot it away round the sun,
Keeping up the old figure first led by Creation.
ELIZA COOK
"Dancing-Song", Eliza Cook's Journal