If a man knows the law, find out, though he live in a pine…
“If a man knows the law, find out, though he live in a pine shanty, and resort to him. And if a man can pipe or sing, so as to wrap the imprisoned soul in an elysium; or can paint a landscape, and convey into souls and ochres all the enchantments of Spring or Autumn; or can liberate and intoxicate all people who hear him with delicious songs and verses; it is certain that the secret cannot be kept; the first witness tells it to a second, and men go by fives and tens and fifties to his doors.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Creative expression, whether law, music, or art, inevitably spreads and cannot be hidden; it draws others and multiplies.
In simple terms: Art and skill spread, they cannot stay secret.
Key Takeaway
Share your talents, they will resonate widely.
Themes
creativity
communication
influence
Mood
inspirational
reflective
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- performing
- painting
- public speaking
- community building
Key Concepts
self‑reliance
artistic expression
social contagion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your work reach beyond your immediate circle?
- What obstacles prevent your art from influencing others?
A Different Perspective
Even with talent, societal barriers may suppress or distort the message.