He who has religion will speak poetry. But philosophy is the tool with which to seek and discover religion.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Without philosophy man cannot know what he makes; without religion he cannot know why.
Poetry is the universal language which the heart holds with nature and itself. He who has a contempt for poetry, cannot have much respect for himself, or for anything else.
Philosophy is an attempt by man to find cause and effect. Religion has the same goal.
I see poetry as spiritual medicine.
But it is the province of religion, of philosophy, of pure poetry only, to go beyond life, beyond time, into eternity.
Poetry and prayer are very similar.
When obedience to the Divine precepts keeps pace with knowledge, in the mind of any man, that man is a Christian; and when the fruits of Christianity are produced, that man is a disciple of our blessed Lord, let his profession of religion be what it may.
Religions do a useful thing: they narrow God to the limits of man. Philosophy replies by doing a necessary thing: it elevates man to the plane of God.
And the second question, can poetry be taught? I didn't think so.
I am very sure that any man of common understanding may, by culture, care, attention, and labor, make himself what- ever he pleases, except a great poet.