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    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.

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  12  /  17  

I can find my biography in every fable that I read.

I can find my biography in every fable that I read.

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  15  /  20  

Our high respect for a well-read man is praise enough of literature.

Our high respect for a well-read man is praise enough of literature.

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  13  /  18  

The advantage of a classical education is that it enables you to despise the wealth which it prevents you from read more

The advantage of a classical education is that it enables you to despise the wealth which it prevents you from achieving.

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  14  /  21  

But, indeed, we prefer books to pounds; and we love manuscripts
better than florins; and we prefer small pamphlets read more

But, indeed, we prefer books to pounds; and we love manuscripts
better than florins; and we prefer small pamphlets to war horses.

by Isaac D'israeli Found in: Literature Quotes,
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  13  /  17  

Vigny, more secretAs if in his tower of ivory, retired before noon."N.B.: Vigny refers to Comte de Vigny, who locked read more

Vigny, more secretAs if in his tower of ivory, retired before noon."N.B.: Vigny refers to Comte de Vigny, who locked himself in an ivory tower to work without the influences of man and desire. - Pensees d'Aout.

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  17  /  25  

There is no human reason why a child should not admire and emulate his teacher's ability to do sums, rather read more

There is no human reason why a child should not admire and emulate his teacher's ability to do sums, rather than the village bum's ability to whittle sticks and smoke cigarettes. The reason why the child does not is plain enough -- the bum has put himself on an equality with him and the teacher has not.

by Floyd Dell Found in: Literature Quotes,
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  14  /  15  

The dancing pair that simply sought renown,By holding out to tire each other down;The swain mistrustless of his smutted face,While read more

The dancing pair that simply sought renown,By holding out to tire each other down;The swain mistrustless of his smutted face,While secret laughter titter'd round the place;The bashful virgin's side-long looks of love,The matrons glance that would those looks reprove:These were thy charms, sweet village; sports like these,With sweet succession, taught e'en toil to please;These were thy bowers their cheerful influence shed,These were thy charms -- but all these charms are fled. - Deserted Village, The.

by Oliver Goldsmith Found in: Literature Quotes,
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  13  /  17  

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.

by Jeremy Bentham Found in: Literature Quotes,
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  19  /  33  

Literature is the orchestration of platitudes.

Literature is the orchestration of platitudes.

by Thornton Wilder Found in: Literature Quotes,
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