I think that one possible definition of our modern culture is that it is one in which nine-tenths of our intellectuals can't read any poetry.

—Randall Jarrell

education poetry intellectual

About Randall Jarrell

Portrait of Randall Jarrell

Randall Jarrell jə-REL (May 6, 1914 – October 14, 1965) was an American poet, literary critic, children's author, essayist, and novelist. He was the 11th Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress—a position that now bears the title Poet Laureate of the United States.

More quotations from Randall Jarrell

But be, as you have been, my happiness...

—Randall Jarrell

One of the most obvious facts about grownups to a child is that they have forgotten what it is like to be a child.

—Randall Jarrell

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More quotations tagged with “poetry”

I owe everything to a system that made me learn by heart till I wept. As a result, I have thousands of lines of poetry by heart. I owe everything to this.

—George Steiner

education poetry heart memorization

The revolt of the poet is invariably conservative at its roots. … Not politically conservative, but imaginatively conservative, with a profound regard for what is given, as earth or air, sun or moon or stars, or the dreams of man.

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Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese.

—G. K. Chesterton

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I have nothing to say, and I am saying it, and that is poetry.

A poet who reads his verse in public may have other nasty habits.

—Robert A. Heinlein