In the history of literature there are many great enduring works which were not published in the lifetimes of the read more

In the history of literature there are many great enduring works which were not published in the lifetimes of the authors. If the authors had not achieved self-affirmation while writing, how could they have continued to write? - Nobel Lecture 2000.

The great American novel has not only already been written, it has already been rejected.

The great American novel has not only already been written, it has already been rejected.

The books we read should be chosen with great care, that they may be, as an Egyptian king wrote over read more

The books we read should be chosen with great care, that they may be, as an Egyptian king wrote over his library, "The medicines of the soul."

Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the
Almighty would answer me, and that mine read more

Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the
Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a
book.

How is it that little children are so intelligent and men so stupid? It must be education that does it.

How is it that little children are so intelligent and men so stupid? It must be education that does it.

Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book,
that it may be read more

Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book,
that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever.

English literature is a kind of training in social ethics. English trains you to handle a body of information in read more

English literature is a kind of training in social ethics. English trains you to handle a body of information in a way that is conducive to action.

For whatever is truly wondrous and fearful in man, never yet was put into words or books.

For whatever is truly wondrous and fearful in man, never yet was put into words or books.

You, the Spirit of the Settlement! ... Not understand that America is God's crucible, the great melting-pot where all the read more

You, the Spirit of the Settlement! ... Not understand that America is God's crucible, the great melting-pot where all the races of Europe are melting and re-forming! Here, you stand, good folk, think I, when I see them at Ellis Island, here you stand in your fifty groups, with your fifty languages and histories, and your fifty blood hatreds and rivalries... - Melting Pot, The.