“If we respected only what is inevitable and has a right to be, music and poetry would resound along the streets.”

“The greatest mathematics has the simplicity and inevitableness of supreme poetry and music, standing on the borderland of all that is wonderful in Science, and all that is beautiful in Art.”

“At the opera, the music makes no sense; here in the street it has just the right demented touch to give it poignancy.”

“We are bored in the city, to still discover mysteries on the signs along the street, latest state of humor and poetry, requires getting damned tired...Gilles Ivain (aka Ivan Chtcheglov)”

“My poetry, I think, has become the way of my giving out what music is within me”

“What Joe Hamilton lacked more than anything else in the world was some one to kick him. Many a man who might have lived decently and become a fairly respectable citizen has gone to the dogs for the want of some one to administer a good resounding kick at the right time. It is corrective and clarifying.”