It is easy enough to praise men for the courage of their convictions. I wish I could teach the sad young of this mealy generation the courage of their confusions.

Quote by John Ciardi

Topics: John Ciardi Quotes

Poetry lies its way to the truth.

Poetry lies its way to the truth.

But when the pen is in his hand he has to write by itch and...

But when the pen is in his hand he has to write by itch and...

Love is the word used to label the sexual excitement of the young, the habituation...

Love is the word used to label the sexual excitement of the young, the habituation...

Modern art is what happens when painters stop looking at girls and persuade themselves that...

Modern art is what happens when painters stop looking at girls and persuade themselves that...

You don't have to suffer to be a poet; adolescence is enough suffering for anyone.

You don't have to suffer to be a poet; adolescence is enough suffering for anyone.

Early to bed and early to rise probably indicates unskilled labor.

Early to bed and early to rise probably indicates unskilled labor.

Every parent is at some time the father of the unreturned prodigal, with nothing to...

Every parent is at some time the father of the unreturned prodigal, with nothing to...

The day will happen whether or not you get up.

The day will happen whether or not you get up.

Intelligence recognizes what has happened. Genius recognizes what will happen.

Intelligence recognizes what has happened. Genius recognizes what will happen.

Every game ever invented by mankind, is a way of making things hard for the...

Every game ever invented by mankind, is a way of making things hard for the...

What has any poet to trust more than the feel of the thing? Theory concerns...

What has any poet to trust more than the feel of the thing? Theory concerns...

A neighborhood is a residential area that is changing for the worse.

A neighborhood is a residential area that is changing for the worse.

Written by a sponge dipped in warm milk and sprinkled with sugar.

Written by a sponge dipped in warm milk and sprinkled with sugar.

The classroom should be an entrance into the world, not an escape from it.

The classroom should be an entrance into the world, not an escape from it.

The Constitution gives every American the inalienable right to make a damn fool of himself.

The Constitution gives every American the inalienable right to make a damn fool of himself.

A university is what a college becomes when the faculty loses interest in the students.

A university is what a college becomes when the faculty loses interest in the students.

Every parent is at some time the father of the unreturned prodigal, with nothing to...

Every parent is at some time the father of the unreturned prodigal, with nothing to...

A good question is never answered. It is not a bolt to be tightened into...

A good question is never answered. It is not a bolt to be tightened into...

The reader deserves an honest opinion. If he doesn't deserve it, give it to him...

The reader deserves an honest opinion. If he doesn't deserve it, give it to him...

There is nothing wrong with sobriety in moderation.

There is nothing wrong with sobriety in moderation.