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Horace, in a particularly boastful mood, once said his…

“Horace, in a particularly boastful mood, once said his verse would last as long as the vestal virgins kept going up the Capitoline Hill to worship at the temple of Jupiter. But Horace's poetry has lasted longer than Jupiter's religion, and Jupiter himself has only survived because he disappeared…” quote by Northrop Frye
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“Horace, in a particularly boastful mood, once said his verse would last as long as the vestal virgins kept going up the Capitoline Hill to worship at the temple of Jupiter. But Horace's poetry has lasted longer than Jupiter's religion, and Jupiter himself has only survived because he disappeared into literature.”

Northrop Frye

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Horace humorously notes that poetry outlives even the most enduring religious rites, showing art’s lasting power.

In simple terms: Poetry outlasts ancient rituals.

Key Takeaway

Value creative work for its longevity.

Themes

art legacy rituals

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • academic discussion
  • public speaking
  • writing workshops

Key Concepts

cultural endurance literary permanence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does art outlive its original context?
  • What makes some works timeless?
A Different Perspective

Literature may not survive if society forgets its relevance.

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