Music begins to atrophy when it departs too far from the dance... poetry begins to atrophy when it gets too far from music.

'Tis not need we know our every thought Or see the work shop where each mask is wrought Wherefrom we view the world of box and pit, Careless of wear, just so the mask shall fit And serve our jape's turn for a night or two.

Use no superfluous word, no adjective, which does not reveal something.

To break the pentameter, that was the first heave

People find ideas a bore because they do not distinguish between live ones and stuffed ones on a shelf.

What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it.

Come, let us pity those who are better off than we are. Come, my friend, and remember that the rich have butlers and no friends, And we have friends and no butlers. (excerpt from 'The Garrett')