“The poet's trade is the hardest trade of all trades in the world; his compensation is the poorest; his triumphs the fewest; not one in ten thousand can earn his bread at it.” Strips the calling of romance and treats it as a harsh profession · Preface, Complete Poetical Works Difficulty Poetry Work
“Better be a first-rate plowman than a second-rate poet, so far as fortune, health, and content are concerned.” Ranks honest labour above mediocre literary ambition · Preface, Complete Poetical Works Advice Poetry Work
