Back in 2009 Jim Finnegan, proprietor of the ursprache blog and author of the aphoristically amazing Tramp Freighter, sent news of William Stafford’s aphorisms. These are now collected in Sound of the Ax, which brings together for the first time over 400 aphorisms and 26 aphoristic poems by Stafford. A selection:

All events and experiences are local, somewhere.

When the snake decided to go straight he didn’t get anywhere.

There are many of those who have sense enough to come in out of the rain who do not have sense enough to go out in the sun.

Many things true when said, the world makes untrue.

Every mink has a mink coat.

I must see farther, even when no one says, “Look!”