I wish our clever young poets would remember my homely definitions of prose and poetry; that is, prose = words in their best order; - poetry = the best words in the best order.

Quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Topics: Samuel Taylor Coleridge Quotes

To most men, experience is like the stern lights of a ship, which illumine only...

To most men, experience is like the stern lights of a ship, which illumine only...

The most happy marriage I can picture or imagine to myself would be the union...

The most happy marriage I can picture or imagine to myself would be the union...

General principles... are to the facts as the root and sap of a tree are...

General principles... are to the facts as the root and sap of a tree are...

Brute animals have the vowel sounds; man only can utter consonants.

Brute animals have the vowel sounds; man only can utter consonants.

Common-sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.

Common-sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.

The Nightmare Life-in-Death was she, / Who thicks man's blood with cold.

The Nightmare Life-in-Death was she, / Who thicks man's blood with cold.

So lonely 'twas that God himself Scarce seemed there to be.

So lonely 'twas that God himself Scarce seemed there to be.

Poetry: the best words in the best order.

Poetry: the best words in the best order.

Love is flower like; Friendship is like a sheltering tree.

Love is flower like; Friendship is like a sheltering tree.

Until you understand a writer's ignorance, presume yourself ignorant of his understanding.

Until you understand a writer's ignorance, presume yourself ignorant of his understanding.

A man may devote himself to death and destruction to save a nation; but no...

A man may devote himself to death and destruction to save a nation; but no...

The most happy marriage I can imagine to myself would be the union of a...

The most happy marriage I can imagine to myself would be the union of a...

I do not call the sod under my feet my country; but language religion government...

I do not call the sod under my feet my country; but language religion government...

Every reform, however necessary, will by weak minds be carried to an excess, that itself...

Every reform, however necessary, will by weak minds be carried to an excess, that itself...

I have often thought what a melancholy world this would be without children, and what...

I have often thought what a melancholy world this would be without children, and what...

Plagiarists are always suspicious of being stolen from.

Plagiarists are always suspicious of being stolen from.

Language is the armory of the human mind, and at once contains the trophies of...

Language is the armory of the human mind, and at once contains the trophies of...

How like herrings and onions our vices are in the morning after we have committed...

How like herrings and onions our vices are in the morning after we have committed...

That willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith.

That willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith.

Greatness and goodness are not means, but ends.

Greatness and goodness are not means, but ends.