On words
When language is undeniably beautiful, the beauty is evidence of the truth of the words.
There are many writers capable of composing phrases which, at first glance, seem beautiful. They are like plastic surgeons who excel at temporary beauty — that which lives and dies in the glimpse. A long, hard look destroys them both.
A writer who knows her words are beautiful will yet harbor doubts; accuse her of ugly writing and you will be met with silence. But direct the same accusation to a writer who knows the shallowness of his words and he will viciously protest. The depth of the protest is a measure of the truth of the claim.
