“Shirk responsibility—that's my philosophy. I do feel a sense of responsibility to the poor, but I don't want to go beyond writing a check.”

Preferring quiet support over public engagement or self-importance · Interview or conversation (New Yorker profile)

• Humility
• Independence
• Responsibility

“It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe.”

On how small irritations drain more energy than large challenges · Aphorism or conversation (as commonly attributed)

• Endurance
• Life
• Problems

“I am an average sort of person who doesn't take anything seriously, least of all himself.”

A modest, self-deprecating view of character and work · Letter, 1925

• Humour
• Modesty
• Self

“The only society I like is rough and tough, and the tougher the better. There's where you get down to bedrock and meet human people.”

Valuing unpolished, genuine company over artificial society · Conversation or interview

• Authenticity
• Companionship
• Society

“Write verse, not poetry. The public wants verse. If you have a talent for poetry, then don't by any means mother it, but try your hand at verse.”

Preferring accessible, memorable verse over rarefied poetry · Conversation or interview (as commonly reported)

• Poetry
• Readers
• Writing