Human beings need unhappiness at least as much as they need happiness.

Americans' great and secret fear is that America may turn out to be a phenomenon rather than a civilization.

I never had, or wished for, power over you. That isn't true, of course. I wanted the greatest power of all. but not advantage, or authority.

When you realize someone is trying to hurt you, it hurts less." "Unless you love them.

In thoughts one keeps a reserve of hope, in spite of everything. You cannot say good-bye in imagination. That is something you can only do in actuality.

Poetry has been the longest pleasure of my life.

Perhaps if we lived with less physical beauty we would develop our true natures more.