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

Quote by John Ciardi

Topics: John Ciardi Quotes

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.

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

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

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...

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.

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...

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

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

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...

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

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

The day will happen whether or not you get up.

The day will happen whether or not you get up.

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.

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

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

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...

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.

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

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

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...

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...

Poetry lies its way to the truth.

Poetry lies its way to the truth.

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...

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...