He speaks truly who speaks the shade.

Only truthful hands write true poems. I cannot see any basic difference between a handshake and a poem.

Only one thing remained reachable, close and secure amid all losses: language. Yes, language. In spite of everything, it remained secure against loss.

A nothing we were, are, shall remain, flowering: the nothing--, the no one's rose.

Reality is not simply there, it does not simply exist: it must be sought out and won.

Poetry is a sort of homecoming.

The poem is lonely. It is lonely and en route. Its author stays with it. Does this very fact not place the poem already here, at its inception, in the encounter, in the mystery of encounter?

Don't sign your name between worlds, surmount the manifold of meanings, trust the tearstain, learn to live.

There's nothing in the world for which a poet will give up writing, not even he is a Jew and the language of his poems is German.

We are told that when Hölderlin went 'mad,' he constantly repeated, 'Nothing is happening to me, nothing is happening to me.'

German poetry is going in a very different direction from French poetry.... Its language has become more sober, more factual. It distrusts "beauty." It tries to be truthful.

Forgetfulness is a form of freedom.

Never say that anything is hopeless, Tristal, until it has irreparably failed. And always remember that Elamm’ may perform any action, though it may seem impossible to you.

I’m sorry for blaming you for everything I just couldn’t do, and I’ve hurt myself by hurting you.

Fashion which elevates the bad to the level of the good subsequently turns its back on bad and good alike.

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence and then Success is sure.

Being superintendent or the superintendent's chief of staff is important work, but there's no chance it's as difficult as being a teacher, and I hesitate to say that it's as important.

I have enjoyed the years enormously in Cleveland and especially in Baltimore

... conscienceless efficiency is no match for efficiency quickened by conscience.

Daddy will explain. Come, he is blowing up monsters.

George Clooney is a super-human, he's just such an amazing human being, he taught me how to be a better person and a better actor!