The poet is in command of his fantasy, while it is exactly the mark of the neurotic that he is possessed by his fantasy.
From Lionel Trilling
Where misunderstanding serves others as an advantage, one is helpless to make oneself understood.
We are at heart so profoundly anarchistic that the only form of state we can imagine living in is Utopian; and so cynical that the only Utopia we can believe in is authoritarian.
We are all ill: but even a universal sickness implies an idea of health.
Immature artists imitate. Mature artists steal.
Youth is a time when we find the books we give up but do not get over.
The poet may be used as a barometer, but let us not forget that he is also part of the weather.
Probably it is impossible for humor to be ever a revolutionary weapon. Candide can do little more than generate irony.
Being a Jew is like walking in the wind or swimming: you are touched at all points and conscious everywhere.
We who are liberal and progressive know that the poor are our equals in every sense except that of being equal to us.
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