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Quote by Theodore Roethke

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Straw for the Fire: From the Notebooks of Theodore Roethke

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Author

Theodore Roethke
Theodore Roethke

Theodore Roethke was an American poet known for his deep emotions and rich imagination. His poetry often explores themes of human emotion and the natural world, enjoying great popularity among readers. more

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“A poet is, on the one hand, among the elect; on the other hand, he is one of the most insignificant of mortals. Hence we can draw a very consoling conclusion: the most insignificant of men are not altogether so worthless as we imagine. They may not be fit to occupy government positions or professorial chairs, but they are often extremely at home on Parnassus and such high places. Apollo rewards vice, and virtue, as everybody knows, is so satisfied with herself she needs no reward. Then why do the pessimists lament? Leibnitz was quite right: we live in the best possible of worlds. I would even suggest that we leave out the modification "possible.”

PoetsUtility
Book:All Things are Possible
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“Creatures other than humans might also be poets; they could have been communicating in poetry among themselves. However, they do not and cannot write. To write, one must possess a written language and the ability to express thoughts in written form. Therefore, those of us who have a written language must make an effort to put our thoughts into writing.”

WritingPoetryLanguageExpressionCommunicationThoughtsPoetsWritten LanguageWriting Effort
Author:Suman Pokhrel
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“Government of the world begins in us. It's not the sincere who govern the world, but neither is it the insincere; it's those who create in themselves a real sincerity by artificial and automatic means. This sincerity is what makes them strong, and it outshines the less false sincerity of others. To be adept at deluding oneself is the first prerequisite for a statesman. Only poets and philosophers see the world as it really is, for only to them is it given to live without illusions. To see clearly is to not act.”

GovernmentClaritySincerityPoetsPoliticiansSelf DelusionDelusionsPhilosophers
Book:The Book of Disquiet
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