“A writer is unfair to himself when he is unable to be hard on himself.”

Insisting on rigorous self-judgment as the path to better work · Prose on writing and self-criticism

• Criticism
• Discipline
• Writing

“Poetry is the art of creating imaginary gardens with real toads.”

Defining poetry as imaginative art grounded in the vivid realities of life · Statement on poetry, as commonly attributed

• Imagination
• Poetry
• Reality

“The deepest feeling always shows itself in silence; not in silence, but restraint.”

Valuing controlled intensity over unbridled display · Prose observations on expression

• Emotion
• Restraint
• Silence