That Plato's Republic should have been admired, on its…
“That Plato's Republic should have been admired, on its political side, by decent people, is perhaps the most astonishing example of literary snobbery in all history.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Russell criticizes the tendency to value works solely for their political usefulness, ignoring their artistic merit.
In simple terms: Literary snobbery ignores artistic value.
Appreciate art beyond politics.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- reading classic works
- teaching literature
- public discourse
- media analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Should art be judged by politics?
- What is the role of aesthetics in public life?
Political relevance alone may overlook deeper truths.