I don't have a set of tenets but I live an ethical life. I practice a humility that presupposes there's a power greater than myself. And I always believe don't inflict harm where it's not necessary.

Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.

In order to become the master the politician poses as the servant.

There's not a good poet I know who has not at the beck and call of his memory a vast quantity of poetry that composes his mental library.

Poetry is a succession of questions which the poet constantly poses.

The poet exposes himself to the risk. All that has been said about poetry all that he has learned about poetry is only a partial assurance.

I believe that all poetry is formal in that it exists within limits limits that are either inherited by tradition or limits that language itself imposes.

The attainment of the economic aims of man presupposes peace.

I cannot think of anything more difficult than to say something which would be worthy of this impressive and for me memorable occasion and of the ideals and purposes which inspired the Nobel Peace Award.

Each religion by the help of more or less myth which it takes more or less seriously proposes some method of fortifying the human soul and enabling it to make its peace with its destiny.