History is where tensions were.

Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, they say, forgetful of the shadow's speed.

For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serious, the novel is work, the novel is conscientious application why, the novel is practically the retail business all over again.

A teacher is a person who never says anything once.

Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time.

I would talk in iambic pentameter if it were easier.

I like all my children, even the squat and ugly ones.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely; and if you surrender your personal responsibility to a government which promises to take care of you, they will only take care of themselves.

When Robert Frost was alive, I was known as the other new England poet, which is to be barely known at all.

Robert Frost had always said you mustn't think of the last line first, or it's only a fake poem, not a real one. I'm inclined to agree.

[T]eaching has been for me an education (Lord knows what it has been for my students).

Passion is the fire that can burn through fear.

I was promising myself strength.I had to write it, say it, make the effort and fake it before I actually believed I could do it.

Freedom is not a reward or a decoration that is celebrated with champagne...Oh no! It's a...long distance race, quite solitary and very exhausting.

Men would be angels, angels would be gods.

The law is a battery, which protects all that is behind it, but sweeps with destruction all that is outside.

Treasuring life above Christ is a tragedy.

Animals teach us about the animals in ourselves. We need their spirits.

Your life is constantly nourished by your thoughts. Whatever the direction your life is moving, your thoughts have led you there.

As you live high standards publicly and privately, and even under great pressure adhere to them, you raise the vision of others.

Just as much as we see in others we have in ourselves.