If a man means his writing seriously, he must mean to write well. But how can he write well until he learns to see what he has written badly. His progress toward good writing and his recognition of bad writing… — John Ciardi Copy Share Image
Within a single scene, it seems to be unwise to have access to the inner reflections of more than one character. The reader generally needs a single character as the means of perception, as the character to whom the events… — John Ciardi Copy Share Image
Tell me how much a nation knows about its own language, and I will tell you how much that nation knows about its own… — John Ciardi Copy Share Image
Modern art is what happens when painters stop looking at girls and persuade themselves that they have a better idea. — John Ciardi Copy Share Image
But when the pen is in his hand he has to write by itch and twitch, though certainly his itch and twitch are intimately… — John Ciardi Copy Share Image
Who could believe an ant in theory? A giraffe in blueprint? Ten thousand doctors of what's possible Could reason half the jungle out of… — John Ciardi Copy Share Image
“There was a young lady from Gloucester Who complained that her parents both bossed her, So she ran off to Maine. Did her parents… — John Ciardi Copy Share Image
One night I dreamed I was locked in my Father's watch With Ptolemy and twenty-one ruby stars Mounted on spheres and the Primum Mobile… — John Ciardi Copy Share Image
Gentility is what is left over from rich ancestors after the money is gone. — John Ciardi Copy Share Image
The classroom should be an entrance into the world, not an escape from it. — John Ciardi Copy Share Image
Boys are the cash of war. Whoever said: we're not free spenders- doesn't know our like. — John Ciardi Copy Share Image
