Poetry demands a man with a special gift for it, or else one with a touch of madness in him. — Aristotle

Poetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular.

But the greatest thing by far is to have a command of metaphor. This alone cannot be imparted by another; it is the mark of genius, for to make good metaphors implies an eye for resemblances.

Homer has taught all other poets the art of telling lies skillfully.