The true function of art is to...edit nature and so make it coherent and lovely. The artist is a sort read more

The true function of art is to...edit nature and so make it coherent and lovely. The artist is a sort of impassioned proofreader, blue-penciling the bad spelling of God.

Every extreme attitude is a flight from the self.

Every extreme attitude is a flight from the self.

Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.

Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.

Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.

Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.

...it is largely because civilization enables us constantly to profit from knowledge which we individually do not possess and because read more

...it is largely because civilization enables us constantly to profit from knowledge which we individually do not possess and because each individual's use of his particular knowledge may serve to assist others unknown to him in achieving their ends that men as members of civilized society can pursue their individual ends so much more successfully than they could alone.

To be aware how fruitful the playful mood can be is to be immune to the propaganda of the alienated, read more

To be aware how fruitful the playful mood can be is to be immune to the propaganda of the alienated, which extols resentment as a fuel of achievement.

Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.

Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.

Passion holds up the botton of the world, while genius paints its roof.

Passion holds up the botton of the world, while genius paints its roof.

Blaming "society" makes it awfully easy for a person of weak character to shrug off his own responsibility for his read more

Blaming "society" makes it awfully easy for a person of weak character to shrug off his own responsibility for his actions.