An original writer is not one who imitates nobody, but one whom nobody can imitate.

An original writer is not one who imitates nobody, but one whom nobody can imitate.

First, I do not sit down at my desk to put into verse something that is already clear in my read more

First, I do not sit down at my desk to put into verse something that is already clear in my mind. If it were clear in my mind, I should have no incentive or need to write about it. We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.

The original is unfaithful to the translation.

The original is unfaithful to the translation.

Some people see things and ask Why?
I dream things which never were and askWhy not?

Some people see things and ask Why?
I dream things which never were and askWhy not?

The lash may force men to physical labor, it cannot force them to spiritual creativity.

The lash may force men to physical labor, it cannot force them to spiritual creativity.

The human mind cannot create anything. It produces nothing until after having been fertilized by experience and meditation; its acquisitions read more

The human mind cannot create anything. It produces nothing until after having been fertilized by experience and meditation; its acquisitions are the gems of its production.

Had I been present at the creation of the world I would have proposed some improvements.

Had I been present at the creation of the world I would have proposed some improvements.

The world embarrasses me, and I cannot dream That this watch exists and has no watchmaker.

The world embarrasses me, and I cannot dream That this watch exists and has no watchmaker.

Man's mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions.

Man's mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions.