“A workman can only be known by his work.”

Making the work itself the primary evidence for understanding its maker · A Study of Shakespeare

• Art
• Truth

“The first duty of a poet is to be a poet, and not a moralist.”

Defending poetry's independence from moral preaching · Conversation / literary criticism

• Art
• Poetry

“The office of poetry is neither to preach nor to teach, but to delight.”

Emphasising poetry's power to give pleasure rather than instruction · Essay / literary criticism

• Joy
• Poetry