It is a great thing, indeed, to make a proper use of the…
““It is a great thing, indeed, to make a proper use of the poetical forms, as also of compounds and strange words. But the greatest thing by far is to be a master of metaphor. It is the one thing that cannot be learnt from others; and it is also a sign of genius, since a good metaphor implies an intuitive perception of the similarity in dissimilars.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Mastery of metaphor reveals deep insight by linking disparate ideas, a skill not taught but innate to genius.
In simple terms: Metaphor mastery shows genius.
Key Takeaway
Develop intuitive metaphorical thinking.
Themes
creativity
language
genius
intuition
Mood
inspired
intellectual
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- writing
- education
- art
Key Concepts
cognitive flexibility
artistic expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you train metaphorical insight?
- What benefits arise from strong metaphor use?
A Different Perspective
Learning metaphors still benefits from study and practice.