When I give a lecture, I accept that people look at their watches, but what I do not tolerate is read more

When I give a lecture, I accept that people look at their watches, but what I do not tolerate is when they look at it and raise it to their ear to find out if it stopped.

Universities incline wits to sophistry and affectation.

Universities incline wits to sophistry and affectation.

All literature is political.

All literature is political.

Literature becomes the living memory of a nation.

Literature becomes the living memory of a nation.

The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.

The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.

Of course there's a lot of knowledge in universities: the freshmen bring a little in; the seniors don't take much read more

Of course there's a lot of knowledge in universities: the freshmen bring a little in; the seniors don't take much away, so knowledge sort of accumulates...

A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.

A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.

A poet is someone who is astonished by everything.

A poet is someone who is astonished by everything.

What is wonderful about great literature is that it transforms the man who reads it towards the condition of the read more

What is wonderful about great literature is that it transforms the man who reads it towards the condition of the man who wrote.