The epic poet has behind him a tradition of matter and a tradition of style; and that is what every other poet has behind him too; only, for the epic poet, tradition is rather narrower, rather more strictly compelling.
“In Italy the artist is a god. Now if the artist is a god, the scientist is likewise a god.”
“It is only the young and callow and ignorant that admire rashness. Think before you speak. Know your subject.”