Poetry itself is strength and joy, whether it be crowned by all mankind, or left alone in its own magic hermitage. J. Sterling.
Poetry must first be good sense, though it is something better. Quoted by Emerson.
Poetry ought to go straight to the heart, because it has come from the heart; and aim at the man in the citizen, and not the citizen in the man. Schiller.
Poetry says more and in fewer words than prose. Voltaire.
Poetry should be great and unobtrusive. Keats. 30
Poetry should be vital, either stirring our blood by its divine movements, or snatching our breath by its divine perfection. A. Birrell.
Poetry uses the rainbow tints for special effects, but always keeps its essential object in the purest white light of truth. Holmes.
Poetry was given to us to hide the little discords of life and to make man contented with the world and his condition. Goethe.
Poetry, were it the rudest, so it be sincere, is the attempt which man makes to render his existence harmonious, the utmost he can do for that end; it springs therefore from his whole feelings, opinions, activity, and takes its character from these. It may be called the music of the whole inner being. Carlyle.
Poets and heroes are of the same race; the 35 latter do what the former conceive. Lamartine.