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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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  10  /  16  

Truth must necessarily be stranger than fiction, for fiction is the creation of the human mind and therefore congenial to read more

Truth must necessarily be stranger than fiction, for fiction is the creation of the human mind and therefore congenial to it.

by Tom Clancy Found in: Literature Quotes,
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  18  /  32  

Universities incline wits to sophistry and affectation.

Universities incline wits to sophistry and affectation.

by Jacques Barzun Found in: Literature Quotes,
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  18  /  22  

There is no real teacher who in practice does not believe in the existence of the soul, or in a read more

There is no real teacher who in practice does not believe in the existence of the soul, or in a magic that acts on it through speech.

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  17  /  16  

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.

by Andre Maurois Found in: Literature Quotes,
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  17  /  18  

The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.

The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.

by Samuel Johnson Found in: Literature Quotes,
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  13  /  16  

Yet ah! why should they know their fate?Since sorrow never comes too late,And happiness too swiftly flies.Thought would destroy their read more

Yet ah! why should they know their fate?Since sorrow never comes too late,And happiness too swiftly flies.Thought would destroy their paradise.No more; where ignorance is bliss,'Tis folly to be wise. - Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College.

by Thomas Gray Found in: Literature Quotes,
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  24  /  32  

From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down I was convulsed with laughter. Some day read more

From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down I was convulsed with laughter. Some day I intend reading it.

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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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  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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