Madness might sometimes give access to a kind of knowledge. But was not a guarantee.

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

Marriage is like democracy - it doesn't really work, but it's all we've been able to come up with.

Poetry has been the longest pleasure of my life.

I think that one is constantly startled by the things that appear before you on the page when you're writing.

One would always want to think of oneself as being on the side of love, ready to recognize it and wish it well -but, when confronted with it in others, one so often resented it, questioned its true nature, secretly dismissed the particular instance as folly or promiscuity. Was it merely jealousy, or a reluctance to admit so noble and enviable a sentiment in anyone but oneself?

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.