Utility is the great idol of the age, to which all powers…
“Utility is the great idol of the age, to which all powers must do service and all talents swear allegiance. In this great balance of utility, the spiritual service of art has no weight, and, deprived of all encouragement, it vanishes from the noisy Vanity Fair of our time.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Society values utility over art, marginalizing spiritual creativity.
In simple terms: Practical needs dominate, sidelining artistic purpose.
Key Takeaway
Support art beyond its usefulness.
Themes
art
society
utility
spirituality
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- education policy
- public funding
- media criticism
Key Concepts
cultural value
economic pressure
artistic sacrifice
Questions to Reflect On
- Should art be judged by utility?
- How can society better value artistic contributions?
A Different Perspective
Art can also serve practical purposes, blurring the divide.