Literary men are being employed to praise a big business…
“Literary men are being employed to praise a big business man personally, as men used to praise a king. They not only find political reasons for the commercial schemes that they have done for some time past they also find moral defences for the commercial schemers... I do resent the whole age of patronage being revived under such absurd patrons; and all poets becoming court poets, under kings that have taken no oath.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Criticizes how writers now serve wealthy patrons, echoing medieval court poets, losing independent moral critique.
In simple terms: Writers now praise rich patrons like they praised kings.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth over patronage.
Themes
patronage
literature
ethics
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- journalism
- publishing
- art criticism
Key Concepts
media influence
political economy
Questions to Reflect On
- Should artists accept patronage for survival?
- How does patronage affect authenticity?
A Different Perspective
Patronage can still enable artistic freedom if managed ethically.