Ale, man, ale's the stuff to drink for fellows whom it hurts to think.

I could no more define poetry than a terrier can define a rat.

Good religious poetry... is likely to be most justly appreciated and most discriminately relished by the undevout.

Hope lies to mortals And most believe her, But man's deceiver Was never mine.

Lovers lying two and two Ask not whom they sleep beside, And the bridegroom all night through Never turns him to the bride.

I do not choose the right word, I get rid of the wrong one.

To be a textual critic requires aptitude for thinking and willingness to think; and though it also requires other things, those things are supplements and cannot be substitutes. Knowledge is good, method is good, but one thing beyond all others is necessary; and that is to have a head, not a pumpkin, on your shoulders and brains, not pudding, in your head.