Old age is . . . a lot of crossed off names in an address book.

Old age is . . . a lot of crossed off names in an address book.

Proper names are poetry in the raw. Like all poetry they are untranslatable.

Proper names are poetry in the raw. Like all poetry they are untranslatable.

Some to the fascination of a name,
Surrender judgment hoodwinked.

Some to the fascination of a name,
Surrender judgment hoodwinked.

Above any Greek or Roman name.

Above any Greek or Roman name.

I don't like giving names to generations. It's like trying to read the song title on a record that's spinning.

I don't like giving names to generations. It's like trying to read the song title on a record that's spinning.

Oh! no! we never mention her,
Her name is never heard;
My lips are now forbid to read more

Oh! no! we never mention her,
Her name is never heard;
My lips are now forbid to speak
That once familiar word.
- Thomas Haynes Bayly,

Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability read more

Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him.

My name may have buoyancy enough to float upon the sea of time.

My name may have buoyancy enough to float upon the sea of time.

He left a Corsair's name to other times,
Linked with one virtue, and a thousand crimes.

He left a Corsair's name to other times,
Linked with one virtue, and a thousand crimes.