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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.

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All Men Needs Writing Happens Ifs Way Beer Civilization Enough Knows Poet Poetry Reader Access Art Boys Cash Character Conviction Faculty

Famous John Ciardi Quotes

“At the next vacancy for God, if I am elected, I shall forgive last the delicately wounded who, having been slugged no harder than anyone else, never got up again, neither to fight back, nor to finger their jaws in painful admiration.”

Ifs Lasts Fighting Next Harder Forgiving Fingers Painful Admiration Wounded Vacancy

Author:John Ciardi

“A university is a reading and discussion club. If students knew how to use the library, they wouldn't need the rest of the buildings. The faculty's job, in great part, is to teach students how to use a library in a living way. All a student should really need is access to the library and a place to sleep.”

Ifs Way Needs Should Use Jobs Reading Sleep Teach Students Building Library University Clubs Access Discussion Faculty

Book:Ciardi himself: fifteen essays in the reading, writing, and teaching of poetry

Source: Ciardi himself: fifteen essays in the reading, writing, and teaching of poetry

“If a man means his writing seriously, he must mean to write well. But how can he write well until he learns to see what he has written badly. His progress toward good writing and his recognition of bad writing are bound to unfold at something like the same rate.”

Ifs Men Writing Wells Mean Progress Written Rate Bounds Recognition Good Writing Bad Writing

Author:John Ciardi

“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

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