"Without imagination we can go nowhere. And imagination is not restricted to the arts. Every scientist I have met who has been a success has had to imagine."

Imagination

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This quotation examines the core nature of Imagination as articulated by Rita Dove. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Imagination provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About Rita Dove

Rita Frances Dove is an American poet and essayist. She served as poet laureate consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress from 1993 to 1995, becoming the first African American appointed to the position after it was established in 1986. In 1987, she became the second African American to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Dove was special consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress during its bicentennial year (1999–2000) and served as Poet Laureate of Virginia from 2004 to 2006. She has been teaching at the University of Virginia since 1989.

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More by Rita Dove

"I try to show what it is about language and music that enthralls, because I think those are the two elements of poetry."

— Rita Dove
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"I thought, after the Pulitzer, at least nothing will surprise me quite that much in my life. And another one happened. It was quite amazing."

— Rita Dove
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"One definition of eternity is that we are not alone on this planet, that there are those who've gone before and those who will come, and that there is a community of spirits."

— Rita Dove
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"There are distinct duties of a poet laureate. I plan a reading series at the Library of Congress and advise the librarian. The rest is how I want to promote poetry."

— Rita Dove
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More about Imagination

"The Obama administration believes in experts and blue-ribbon panels. They believe in creating new agencies and boards. They believe in all that, but they just don't trust the entrepreneur's ability to grow her own business and to create jobs."

— Sher Valenzuela
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"Nothing surpasses the beauty and elegance of a bad idea."

— Craig Bruce
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"My best investment is my imagination, because it has never failed to bring me my greatest returns!"

— Randy Castillo
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"'Entourage' is a great show, but it's fantasy. I spent my twenties in L.A. in this business, and my life didn't look anything like that. 'Big Bang' reflects a side of men that is rarely shown. We see their flaws - all of them."

— Johnny Galecki
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