The tragic thing about learning from experience is I fear that one can only learn from one's own experience. Other people's - other nations' - experiences simply do not help. They can be imaginatively learned from. But people do not act on other people's experiences.

Flowers and plants are silent presences. They nourish every sense except the ear.

Innocence is not pure so much as pleased, Always expectant, bright-eyed, self-enclosed

No partner in a love relationship... should feel that he has to give up an essential part of himself to make it viable.

Poetry has a way of teaching one what one needs to know ... if one is honest.

Excellence costs a great deal.

We are able to laugh when we achieve detachment, if only for a moment.