Howard Nemerov Quotes

A collection of quotes by Howard Nemerov.

Howard Nemerov (1920-1991) was an acclaimed American poet and writer. Born on February 29, 1920, in New York City, Nemerov grew up in a highly artistic and intellectual environment. His mother, Gertrude, was a concert pianist, while his father, David, was a well-known social psychologist. Nemerov's aunt, Ruth Benedict, was a renowned anthropologist.

Nemerov attended Harvard University and later served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, he pursued a career in academia, teaching English at numerous universities, including Connecticut College and Brandeis University.

Throughout his career, Nemerov published more than 30 books of poetry, fiction, and criticism. He won numerous awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1978 and the National Book Award in 1977. He was known for his keen observation of the human condition and his ability to blend wit and intellect in his writing.

In addition to his poetic accomplishments, Nemerov also wrote several works of fiction, including novels, short stories, and children's books. His writing encompassed a wide range of themes, exploring morality, science, art, and the transient nature of life.

Howard Nemerov's contribution to American literature is widely recognized, and his work continues to be celebrated and studied today. He passed away on July 5, 1991, leaving behind a lasting legacy of beautifully crafted words.

I've never read a political poem that's accomplished anythin

I've never read a political poem that's accomplished anything. Poetry makes things happen, but rarely what the poet wants.

For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serio

For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serious, the novel is work, the novel is conscientious application -- why, the novel is practically the retail business all over again.

I sometimes talk about the making of a poem within the poem.

I sometimes talk about the making of a poem within the poem.

Poetry

History is one of those marvelous and necessary illusions we

History is one of those marvelous and necessary illusions we have to deal with. It's one of the ways of dealing with our world with impossible generalities which we couldn't live without.

History

A teacher is a person who never says anything once.

A teacher is a person who never says anything once.

Teacher

I never abandoned either forms or freedom. I imagine that mo

I never abandoned either forms or freedom. I imagine that most of what could be called free verse is in my first book. I got through that fairly early.

Freedom

The nice thing about the Bible is it doesn't give you too ma

The nice thing about the Bible is it doesn't give you too many facts. Two an a half lines and it tells you the whole story and that leaves you a great deal of freedom to elaborate on how it might have happened.

Freedom

Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, th

Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, they say, forgetful of the shadow's speed.

Science

Obvious enough that generalities work to protect the mind fr

Obvious enough that generalities work to protect the mind from the great outdoors; is it possible that this was in fact their first purpose?

I would talk in iambic pentameter if it were easier.

I would talk in iambic pentameter if it were easier.

Funny

I do insist on making what I hope is sense so there's always

I do insist on making what I hope is sense so there's always a coherent narrative or argument that the reader can follow.

Hope

The secrets of success are a good wife and a steady job. My

The secrets of success are a good wife and a steady job. My wife told me.

Success

A lot happens by accident in poetry.

A lot happens by accident in poetry.

Poetry

I think there was a revolution in poetry, associated chiefly

I think there was a revolution in poetry, associated chiefly with Eliot and Pound but maybe it is of the nature of revolutions or of the nature of history that their innovations should later come to look trivial or indistinguishable from technical tricks.

History

A chronicle is very different from history proper.

A chronicle is very different from history proper.

History

For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serio

For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serious, the novel is work, the novel is conscientious application why, the novel is practically the retail business all over again.

Business