Famous quotes containing the words american and/or writing:
“For it does not follow because many books are written by persons born in America that there exists an American literature. Books which imitate or represent the thoughts and life of Europe do not constitute an American literature. Before such can exist, an original idea must animate this nation and fresh currents of life must call into life fresh thoughts along its shores.”
—Margaret Fuller (1810–1850)
“To him Homer was a great writer, though what his writing was about he did not know.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)