Books Quote by Alexander Smith
“Style, after all, rather than thought, is the immortal thing in literature.”
About This Quote
Source Essay “On Style” published in The Edinburgh Review, 1865
Style, not thought, endures in literature, suggesting that how ideas are expressed matters more than the ideas themselves.
In simple terms: Writing style outlasts the ideas themselves.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate a distinctive voice.
Themes
literature
style
legacy
expression
artistic
Mood
inspirational
analytical
Type
literary
critical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- editing
- teaching literature
Key Concepts
aesthetic
form
timelessness
authorial voice
craftsmanship
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a writer’s style memorable?
- Can style compensate for weak ideas?
A Different Perspective
Style can be superficial without substance.
