Nothing goes further toward a man's liberation than the act of surviving his need for character.

Quote by John Ciardi

Topics: John Ciardi Quotes

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

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

Gentility is what is left over from rich ancestors after the money is gone.

Gentility is what is left over from rich ancestors after the money is gone.

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...

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

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

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...

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

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

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...

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

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

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...

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

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

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...

It is easy enough to praise men for the courage of their convictions. I wish...

It is easy enough to praise men for the courage of their convictions. I wish...

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.

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...

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...

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 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.

Poetry lies its way to the truth.

Poetry lies its way to the truth.

There is nothing wrong with sobriety in moderation.

There is nothing wrong with sobriety in moderation.

The day will happen whether or not you get up.

The day will happen whether or not you get up.