Civilization Quote by John Ciardi

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

Modern art is what happens when painters stop looking at girls and persuade themselves that they have a better idea.

— John Ciardi

The day will happen whether or not you get up.

— John Ciardi

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

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

“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

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

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

— John Ciardi

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

— John Ciardi

Boys are the cash of war. Whoever said: we're not free spenders- doesn't know our like.

— John Ciardi

“Hell is the denial of the ordinary...”

— John Ciardi

General rules have been legislated into being by past masters.

— John Ciardi