In Adulthood, It Is Tact That Is Golden, Not Silence*

Fig. 1. Walker Evans - Salón, West Virginia, 1935


'Never discuss the poem you contemplate writing. It's like turning on the outside spigot. It takes all the pressure off the upstairs bathroom.'

Robert Frost

* 'It is tact that is golden, not silence.' (Samuel Butler)

Good Books Teach Us To Enjoy Life, Or To Endure It*

Fig. 1. Gerhard Richter - Lesende, 1994


'When we read a story, we inhabit it. The covers of the book are like a roof and four walls. What is to happen next will take place within the four walls of the story. And this is possible because the story's voice makes everything its own.'

John Berger

* 'Books should teach us to enjoy life, or to endure it.' (Samuel Johnson)

Addendum: Quotes from Anonymous and Larissa (see comments):


'Le métier d'écrire est une violente et presque indestructible passion.'

George Sand

'Les livres ne sont pas des objets comme les autres pour les femmes; depuis l'aube du christianisme jusqu'à aujourd'hui, entre nous et eux, circule un courant chaud, une affinité secrète, une relation étrange et singulière tissée d'interdits, d'appropriations, de réincorporations.'

Laure Adler

'I cannot sleep unless I am surrounded by books.'

Jorge Luis Borges

A Book Is A Portable Treasury Of Paper Tongues

Fig. 1. Exhibition Preview Card, 2008 (Arnolfini)

'Abuse is often of service. There is nothing so dangerous to an author as silence.'

Samuel Johnson

Your Ears Will Orgasm #13: These Pleasant Machines (MixPod Player)

1. Little Richard - Rip It Up
2. Nina Simone - Feeling Good
3. Blondie - Rapture
4. David Byrne & Brian Eno - I Feel My Stuff
5. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
6. Goldfrapp - Happiness