Poetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular.
AristotleAs for the story, whether the poet takes it ready made or constructs it for himself, he should first sketch its general outline, and then fill in the episodes and amplify in detail.
AristotleNo one chooses what does not rest with himself, but only what he thinks can be attained by his own act.
Aristotle