“I think that one possible definition of our modern culture is that it is one in which nine-tenths of our intellectuals can't read any poetry.”

“If we meet an honest and intelligent politician, a dozen, a hundred, we say they aren't like politicians at all, and our category of politicians stays unchanged; we know what politicians are...”

“He thinks that Schiller and St Paul were just two Partisan Review editors.”

“Watch out for intellect, because it knows so much it knows nothing and leaves you hanging upside down, mouthing knowledge as your heart falls out of your mouth.”

“Our sweetest songs are those of saddest thought.”

“What if you slept And what if In your sleep You dreamed And what if In your dream You went to heaven And there plucked a strange and beautiful flower And what if When you awoke You had that...”

“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on.”

“Only my books anoint me, and a few friends, those who reach into my veins.”

“Nobody knows you. You don't know yourself. And I, who am half in love with you, What am I in love with? My own imaginings?”