...why did Plato say that poets should be chased out of…
“...why did Plato say that poets should be chased out of the republic? Precisely because every poet and every artist is an antisocial being. He's not that way because he wants to be; he can't be any other way… and if he really is an artist it is in his nature not to want to be admitted, because if he is admitted it can only mean he is doing something which is understood, approved, and therefore old hat - worthless. Anything new, anything worth doing, can't be recognized.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Poets and artists are inherently antisocial, rejecting mainstream acceptance because true innovation is unrecognizable and undervalued.
In simple terms: Artists resist conformity; true art is often misunderstood.
Key Takeaway
Value originality over approval.
Themes
art
society
creativity
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- gallery openings
- literary criticism
- public policy
- education reform
Key Concepts
antisocial nature
innovation
recognition
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do innovators feel alienated?
- How can institutions support unconventional art?
A Different Perspective
Society may marginalize groundbreaking work.