Machines have no political opinions, but they have profound political effects. They demand a strict regimentation of time, and, by abolishing the need for manual skill, have transformed the majority of the population from workers into laborers. There are, that is to say, fewer and fewer jobs which a man can find a pride and satisfaction in doing well, more and more which have no interest in themselves and can be valued only for the money they provide.

Words have no word for words that are not true.

Poetry might be defined as the clear expression of mixed feelings.

A poet can write about a man slaying a dragon, but not about a man pushing a button that releases a bomb.

Every man carries with him through life a mirror, as unique and impossible to get rid of as his shadow.

In addition to English, at least one ancient language, probably Greek or Hebrew, and two modern languages would be required.

As biological organisms made of matter, we are subject to the laws of physics and biology: as conscious persons who create our own history we are free to decide what that history shall be. Without science, we should have no notion of equality; without art, no notion of liberty.