“Many are called, few are chosen.”
“Its a toss-up when you decide to leave the beaten track. Many are called, few are chosen.”
“Many are stubborn in pursuit of the path they have chosen. Few in pursuit of the goal.”
“Why can’t the world hear? I ask myself. Within a few moments I ask it many times. Because it doesn’t care, I finally answer, and I know I’m right. It’s like I’ve been chosen. But chosen for what? I ask.”
“Still, no one finally knows what a poet is supposed either to be or to do. Especially in this country, one takes on the job—because all that one does in America is considered a "job"—with no clear sense as to what is required or where one will ultimately be led. In that respect, it is as particular an instance of a "calling" as one might point to. For years I've kept in mind, "Many are called but few are chosen." Even so "called," there were no assurances that one would be answered.”
“Books, like friends, shoould be few and well-chosen.”