The productions of all arts are kinds of poetry and their craftsmen are all poets.

At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.

Poets utter great and wise things which they do not themselves understand

Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history.

All the same, we ought to point out that if the kinds of poetry and representation which are designed merely to give pleasure can come up with a rational argument for their inclusion in a well-governed community, we'd be delighted -- short of compromising the truth as we see it, which wouldn't be right -- to bring them back from exile: after all, we know from our own experience all about their spell. I mean haven't you ever fallen under the spell of poetry, Glaucon, especially when the spectacle is provided by Homer?

What a poor appearance the tales of poets make when stripped of the colors which music puts upon them, and recited in simple prose