Quotation by

Huston Smith

Poetry is a special use of language that opens onto the real. The business of the poet is truth telling, which is why in the Celtic tradition no one could be a teacher unless he or she was a poet.

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Understanding this quote AI Analysis

Poetry uses language in a unique way to reveal deeper realities and genuine understanding. Because poets express truth, the Celtic culture believed that only those who could convey such insight through poetry were fit to teach others.

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He fertilizes a phrase or a line of poetry for weeks and then gives birth to it in a speech.

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