“The limits of the body seem well defined enough as definitions go, but definitions seldom go far.”

“A definition may be very exact, and yet go but a very little way towards informing us of the nature of the thing defined.”

“Definitions belong to the definers, not the defined.”

“There is a definite limit to the length of time a composer can go on writing in one dance rhythm (this limit is obviously reached by Ravel towards the end of La Valse and towards the beginning of Bolero).”

“A defining mark of poetry is that it defies definition.”

“If you're going to binge, literature is definitely the way to do it.”

“Accept no one’s definition of you, define yourself.”

“In my opinion, if the human race is going to survive, [religion] is something we definitely need to get over — and we're far from over it, and so therefore, I'm far from over it.”

“Rules for Definitions. I. Not to undertake to define any of the things so well known of themselves that the clearer terms cannot be had to explain them. II. Not to leave any terms that are at all obscure or ambiguous without definition. III. Not to employ in the definition of terms any words but such as are perfectly known or already explained.”

“Clever, but schoolteacher beat him anyway to show him that definitions belonged to the definers — not the defined.”