Two attributes of a poet, avidity of the eye and the desire to describe that which he sees.

In a room where people unanimously maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot.

The voice of passion is better than the voice of reason. The passionless cannot change history.

The purpose of poetry is to remind us how difficult it is to remain just one person, for our house is open, there are no keys in the doors, and invisible guests come in and out at will.

The soul exceeds its circumstances.

Not that I want to be a god or a hero. Just to change into a tree, grow for ages, not hurt anyone.

Consolation Calm down. Both your sins and your good deeds will be lost in oblivion.

Do not feel safe. The poet remembers. You can kill one, but another is born. The words are written down, the deed, the date.

The history of my stupidity would fill many volumes.

When a writer is born into a family, the family is finished.

I am composed of contradictions, which is why poetry is a better form for me than philosophy

Nancy, every place you go, it seems as if mysteries just pile up one after another.

Don't be so hard on yourself....that's what a loofah's for

When I go to the Boston Marathon now, I have wet shoulders—women fall into my arms crying. They're weeping for joy because running has changed their lives. They feel they can do anything.

Courage is the first of the human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all the others.

Failure is a great teacher, and I think when you make mistakes and you recover from them and you treat them as valuable learning experiences, then you've got something to share.

Obama has been attacked repeatedly for not wearing a flag pin, with Republicans claiming that his patriotism is in question. It's all a bit silly.

Men must speak English who can write Sanskrit; they must speak a modern language who write, perchance, an ancient and universal one.

I like surfing in Mexico a whole lot better than sitting with people in Washington that I don't even like.

As a struggling actor, youre not looking for parts that define you; youre just looking for work.

Critics only speak up when they see someone shining. Average work doesn't threaten them.