And yet it fills me with wonder, that, in almost all…
““And yet it fills me with wonder, that, in almost all countries, the most ancient poets are considered as the best: whether it be that every other kind of knowledge is an acquisition gradually attained, and poetry is a gift conferred at once; or that the first poetry of every nation surprised them as a novelty, and retained the credit by consent which it received by accident at first; or whether, as the province of poetry is to describe Nature and Passion, which are always the same, the first writers took possession of the most striking objects for description, and the most probable occurrences for fiction, and left nothing to those that followed them, but transcription of the same events, and new combinations of the same images. Whatever be the reason, it is commonly observed that the early writers are in possession of nature, and their followers of art: that the first excel in strength and innovation, and the latter in elegance and refinement.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Early poets are valued for their raw connection to nature, while later writers rely on artistic refinement and imitation.
In simple terms: Early poets capture nature directly; later ones refine it.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate original insight.
Themes
literature
history
creativity
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- literary criticism
- education
- cultural analysis
Key Concepts
Artistic originality
cultural evolution
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a work timeless?
- How does cultural context shape artistic value?
A Different Perspective
Later works may lack the freshness of early inspiration.