Write to the point: say immediately what you want to say most, even if it doesn't "come first." There are three reasons for doing ...this. First, you will then have said it, even if nothing else gets said. Second, your readers will then have read it, even if they read no more. Third, having said it, you are likely to have to say something more, because you will have to explain and justify what you chose to say.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
For a novel addressed by a man to men and women of full age; which attempts to deal unaffectedly with the fret and fever, derision... and disaster, that may press in the wake of the strongest passion known to humanity; to tell, without a mincing of words, of a deadly war waged between flesh and spirit; and to point the tragedy of unfulfilled aims, I am not aware that there is anything in the handling to which exception can be taken.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
A computer does not think, it feels nothing, and what it is said to "know"--bits of information all cast in the digital mode--has ...no fringe. Nor has it a memory, only storage room. On any point called for, the answer is all or none. Vagueness, intelligent confusion, original punning on words or ideas never occur, the internal hookups being unchangeable; they were determined once for all by the true minds that made the machine and program. When plugged in, the least elaborate computer can be relied on to work to the fullest extent of its capacity; the greatest mind cannot be relied on for the simplest thing; its variability is its superiority.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Wit is a lean creature with sharp inquiring nose, whereas humor has a kindly eye and a comfortable girth. Wit, if it be necessary,... uses malice to score a point--like a cat it is quick to jump--but humor keeps the peace in an easy chair. Wit has a better voice in a solo, but humor comes into the chorus best. Wit is as sharp as a stroke of lightning, whereas humor is diffuse like sunlight. Wit keeps the season's fashions and is precise in the phrases and judgments of the day, but humor is concerned with homely eternal things. Wit wears silk, but humor in homely-spun endures the wind. Wit sets a snare, whereas humor goes off whistling without a victim in its mind. Wit is sharper company at the table, but humor serves better in mischance and in the rain. When it tumbles wit is sour, but humor goes uncomplaining without its dinner. Humor laughs at another's jest and holds its sides, while wit sits wrapped in study for a lively answer.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
be a while our guests: For stars, gaze on our eyes.... The compass love shall hourly sing, And as he goes about the ring, We will not miss To tell each point he nameth with a kiss.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I press not to the quire, nor dare I greet The holy place with my unhallowed feet;... My unwashed Muse pollutes not things divine, Nor mingles her profaner notes with thine; Here humbly at the porch she listening stays, And with glad ears sucks in thy sacred lays.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Flee from the press and dwell with soothfastness; Suffice unto thy good though it be small,... For hoard hath hate and climbing ticklishness, Press hath envy and weal blent overall;LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »