I think that one possible definition of our modern culture is that it is one in which nine-tenths of our intellectuals can't read any poetry.

If we meet an honest and intelligent politician, a dozen, a hundred, we say they aren't like politicians at all, and our category of politicians stays unchanged; we know what politicians are like.

The real war poets are always war poets, peace or any time.

A correct answer is like an affectionate kiss, Goethe said; a correct answer, Gertrude would have said, is like a slap in the face.

I think that one possible definition of our modern culture is that it is one in which nine-tenths of our intellectuals can't read any poetry.

We can't tell our life from our wish

Except from the Americans—but every pearl has its oyster.