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If a poet has any obligation toward society, it is to write well. Being in the minority, he has no read more
If a poet has any obligation toward society, it is to write well. Being in the minority, he has no other choice. Failing this duty, he sinks into oblivion. Society, on the other hand, has no obligation toward the poet. A majority by definition, society thinks of itself as having other options than reading verses, no matter how well written. Its failure to do so results in its sinking to that level of locution at which society falls easy prey to a demagogue or a tyrant. This is society's own equivalent of oblivion.
But wherefore thou alone? Wherefore with theeCame not all hell broke loose? Is pain to themLess pain, less to be read more
But wherefore thou alone? Wherefore with theeCame not all hell broke loose? Is pain to themLess pain, less to be fled, or thou than theyLess hardy to endure? Courageous chief,The first in flight from pain, hadst thou allegedTo thy deserted host this cause of flight,Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive. - Paradise Lost.
I dare say I am compelled, unconsciously compelled, now to write volume after volume, as in past years I was read more
I dare say I am compelled, unconsciously compelled, now to write volume after volume, as in past years I was compelled to go to sea, voyage after voyage. Leaves must follow upon each other as leagues used to follow in the days gone by, on and on to the appointed end, which, being truth itself, is one -- one for all men and for all occupations.
The schoolmaster is abroad! And I trust to him armed with his primer against the soldier in full military array.
The schoolmaster is abroad! And I trust to him armed with his primer against the soldier in full military array.
The fashion of liking Racine will pass away like that of coffee.
[Fr., La mode d'aimer Racine passera comme read more
The fashion of liking Racine will pass away like that of coffee.
[Fr., La mode d'aimer Racine passera comme la mode du cafe.]
In literature as in love we are astounded by what is chosen by others.
In literature as in love we are astounded by what is chosen by others.
People do not deserve to have good writings; they are so pleased with the bad.
People do not deserve to have good writings; they are so pleased with the bad.
In our day the conventional element in literature is elaborately disguised by a law of copyright pretending that every work read more
In our day the conventional element in literature is elaborately disguised by a law of copyright pretending that every work of art is an invention distinctive enough to be patented.
