Home / Authors / John Ciardi

John Ciardi Quotes

Poet

John Ciardi was an American poet born on June 24, 1916, and died on March 30, 1986. Known for his clear and direct style of poetry, he had a profound impact on 20th-century American poetry.

Filter quotes by topic

All Men Needs Writing Happens Ifs Way Beer Civilization Enough Knows

Famous John Ciardi Quotes

“Tell me how much a nation knows about its own language, and I will tell you how much that nation knows about its own identity.”

Knows Language Nations Identity

Author:John Ciardi

“The success of the poem is determined not by how much the poet felt in writing it, but by how much the reader feels in reading it.”

Feels Writing Poetry Reading Felt Poet Reader Determined

Author:John Ciardi

“Boys are the cash of war.”

War Boys Cash

Book:This strangest everything

Source: This strangest everything

“The reader deserves an honest opinion. If he doesn't deserve it, give it to him anyhow.”

Ifs Giving Opinion Honest Reader Deserve

Book:Dialogue with an audience

Source: Dialogue with an audience

About the Author

Born: June 24, 1916
Died: March 30, 1986
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 54

Books & Sources

Dialogue with an audienceRelated source material

Manner of SpeakingRelated source material

The Achievement of John Ciardi: A Comprehensive Selection of His Poems with a Critical IntroductionRelated source material

The Monster Den: or Look What Happened at My House — and to ItRelated source material

This strangest everythingRelated source material

An Introduction to Literature: How does a poem mean? By J. CiardiRelated source material

Ciardi himself: fifteen essays in the reading, writing, and teaching of poetryRelated source material

InfernoRelated source material

Poems of Love and MarriageRelated source material

Selected poemsRelated source material

Similar Authors

Edward HirschBrowse related quotes
William ZinsserBrowse related quotes
Sally-Ann RobertsBrowse related quotes
W. H. AudenBrowse related quotes
Judith RodriguezBrowse related quotes
Don PatersonBrowse related quotes
Jorge Luis BorgesBrowse related quotes
Robert FrostBrowse related quotes
David WallaceBrowse related quotes
Donalyn MillerBrowse related quotes