A poet who makes use of a worse word instead of a better…
“A poet who makes use of a worse word instead of a better, because the former fits the rhyme or the measure, though it weakens the sense, is like a jeweller, who cuts a diamond into a brilliant, and diminishes the weight to make it shine more.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Choosing a suboptimal word for rhyme or meter compromises meaning, akin to a jeweler cutting a diamond to enhance sparkle at the cost of mass.
In simple terms: Compromising meaning for form
Key Takeaway
Form can erode content
Themes
artistic compromise
aesthetic trade‑off
language precision
creative constraints
value vs. substance
Mood
reflective
cautious
analytical
Type
aphor
advice
When to use this quote
- poetry composition
- songwriting
- lyric editing
- speechwriting
- advertising copy
Key Concepts
rhyme
meter
word choice
semantic clarity
Practical Applications
- editing poetry
- teaching creative writing
Questions to Reflect On
- When does aesthetic appeal justify sacrificing clarity?
- How can writers balance sound and sense?