The poet is in command of his fantasy, while it is exactly the mark of the neurotic that he is possessed by his fantasy.

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.

Immature artists imitate. Mature artists steal.

Where misunderstanding serves others as an advantage, one is helpless to make oneself understood.

Being a Jew is like walking in the wind or swimming: you are touched at all points and conscious everywhere.

What marks the artist is his power to shape the material of pain we all have.

It is now life and not art that requires the willing suspension of disbelief.

Unless we insist that politics is imagination and mind, we will learn that imagination and mind are politics, and of a kind we will not like.

It is possible that the contemplation of cruelty will not make us humane but cruel; that the reiteration of the badness of our spiritual condition will make us consent to it.

The immature artist imitates. The mature artist steals.

We who are liberal and progressive know that the poor are our equals in every sense except that of being equal to us.

That's always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people would want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfast cereals based on color instead of taste.

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair

Nothing is more excruciating than hopelessly longing for lost love.

I play by the rules even when there aren’t any.

Back in 1987 when they drafted me. The Indians were the only team interested in taking a chance on Albert Belle, and I made the most of it. Hopefully, they got as much from me as I got from them.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

Budget: a way of going broke methodically

One thing I certainly never was made for, and that is to put principles on and off at the dictation of a party, as a lackey changes his livery at his master's command.

What thou intendest to do, speak not of before thou doest it.

You know what I hate about people who criticize you? They - they criticize what you say but they never give you credit for how loud you say it.