--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the old poets made some virtue their…" description: "\"When the old poets made some virtue their theme, they were not teaching but adoring,\" — Alister E. McGrath" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/alister-e-mcgrath-11214_made_when-the-old-poets-made-some-virtue-thei_2630283.jpg" --- # When the old poets made some virtue their theme, they were… ![“When the old poets made some virtue their theme, they were not teaching but adoring,” quote by Alister E. McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/alister-e-mcgrath-11214_made_when-the-old-poets-made-some-virtue-thei_2630283.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/alister-e-mcgrath-11214_made_when-the-old-poets-made-some-virtue-thei_2630283.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/alister-e-mcgrath-11214_made_when-the-old-poets-made-some-virtue-thei_2630283.jpg) > “When the old poets made some virtue their theme, they were not teaching but adoring,” [Alister E. McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alister-e-mcgrath/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ancient poets praised virtue without instructing, focusing on admiration over guidance. **In simple terms:** Poets admired virtue, not taught it. Key Takeaway Recognize the difference between admiration and instruction. Themes virtue poetry teaching admiration Mood reflective thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - Literary analysis - philosophical discussion Key Concepts Ethics Aesthetic appreciation Questions to Reflect On - How does admiration differ from instruction? - Can admiration inspire action? A Different Perspective Admiration may not lead to practical moral development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Old Poets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-poets-856910/) [Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Poets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poets/) [Poets Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poets-virtue-2183505/) [Teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching/) [Theme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theme/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Virtue Theme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-theme-2183506/) ## Related quotes > [Young poets bewail the passing of love; old poets, the passing of time. 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