“The aim of poetry and the poet is finally to be of service, to ply the effort of the individual into the larger work of the community as a whole.”

“He says his aim is poetry. One does not aim at poetry with pistols. At poets, perhaps.”

“Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

“In most communities it is illegal to cry "fire" in a crowded assembly. Should it not be considered serious international misconduct to manufacture a general war scare in an effort to achieve local political aims? ”

“Community service has become a patch for morality. You can devote your life to community service and be a total schmuck.”

“Individual members of certain churches in black communities should protest when worship services become a platform for teaching anti-gay sentiments. Often individuals sit and listen to preachers raging against gay people and think the views expressed are amusing and outmoded, and dismiss them without challenge. But if homophobia is to be eradicated in black communities, such attitudes must be challenged.”