Immature artists imitate. Mature artists steal. Lionel Trilling on art
We who are liberal and progressive know that the poor are our equals in every sense except that of being equal to us. Lionel Trilling on equality
We are all ill: but even a universal sickness implies an idea of health. Lionel Trilling on health
Probably it is impossible for humor to be ever a revolutionary weapon. Candide can do little more than generate irony. Lionel Trilling on humor
There is no connection between the political ideas of our educated class and the deep places of the imagination. Lionel Trilling on imagination
Every neurosis is a primitive form of legal proceeding in which the accused carries on the prosecution, imposes judgment and executes the sentence: all to the end that someone else should not perform the same process. Lionel Trilling on legal
The poet may be used as a barometer, but let us not forget that he is also part of the weather. Lionel Trilling on poetry